Nigerian Institutions Held Hostage Like Bandit Captives — Former Minister Dalung

Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, has likened Nigeria’s institutions to captives held by bandits in the forest.

Dalung made the comparison on Wednesday during an interview, while commenting on the state of government institutions in the country.

He singled out the judiciary as being particularly affected, noting that while Nigerians often criticise the judicial system, it operates under extremely difficult conditions.

“Our institutions currently in Nigeria are not different from captives who are with bandits in the forest. That’s how our institutions are,” Dalung said.

He elaborated, using a vivid analogy: “If you have watched how bandits put a captive under gunpoint and ask them if they can speak or say certain things, and then punish them with guns, that’s the situation. Our institutions are under the jackboot of a dictator. And the judiciary is worse affected.”

Dalung’s comments highlight concerns over the pressures and constraints facing key government bodies in Nigeria.