?Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s 66th Independence Day address, describing it as "empty," "rhetorical," and deeply disappointing.

?Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain argued that after three and a half years in office, the president's speech should have focused on concrete achievements and accountability rather than repeating previous promises.

Dalung noted that the address failed to adequately address critical national issues, including poverty, unemployment, agriculture, foreign policy, and rampant insecurity.

?Addressing President Tinubu’s metaphor comparing Nigeria’s economic reforms to a cancer patient undergoing painful treatment, Dalung questioned the timeline and effectiveness of the strategy, stating, "The question is, when shall the cancer victim recover? Because it does appear that the surgery has put him in a coma."

?While acknowledging reported economic growth stats, Dalung emphasized that macro-level figures must translate into tangible benefits for everyday citizens, such as lower transportation costs and improved purchasing power.

He also faulted the president for failing to offer hope or directly address ongoing security crises—highlighting continuous attacks and mass burials in his home state of Plateau as evidence of a situation that remains largely unaddressed.