Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has reacted to the controversy surrounding his recent appearance on Al Jazeera’s “Head to Head” programme, saying he was not informed that the interview would address his past statements about the president.
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In a press statement issued on Saturday, Bwala said the programme’s producers only told him the discussion would centre on the government’s handling of security, the economy, and corruption.
“Nowhere in our almost six months of communication did they mention that they were going to challenge my past. If that had been their plan, ethically and professionally, they were supposed to inform me so I could prepare my response. But that’s okay, ethically, that is on them, not on me.”
The presidential aide said he was prepared to defend the Tinubu administration anywhere and at any time, stressing that his role requires him to promote and explain the government’s policies.
“I am prepared to appear before any interviewer, anywhere in the world, any day and at any time, to defend this government and its policies.”
Bwala also criticised the interview style of the programme’s host, saying the questioning relied on what he described as inaccurate claims attributed to organisations and groups.
“I refused to swallow the pill of Mehdi’s “opposition research-style journalism,” and even today, if you carefully compare what he read as quotes from organisations and groups, you will see that many were inaccurate and some were outright fake news.”
Tribune Online reports that the interview drew widespread attention after host Mehdi Hasan confronted Bwala with past statements he allegedly made about Tinubu while supporting former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 election campaign.
During the exchange, Hasan cited remarks from January 2023 in which Bwala was said to have accused Tinubu of creating a militia to influence the election.
“You said Tinubu started a militia to sway the election corruptly,” Hasan put to Bwala.
“Tinubu didn’t create a militia, and I never said that,” he responded.
Hasan also referred to claims about alleged cash movements into Tinubu’s residence during an election.
“I never said that,” Bwala replied.
The interviewer further referenced video clips circulating online in which Bwala previously claimed that Tinubu or individuals linked to him had threatened him.
“I never said that,” Bwala insisted.
Addressing criticism over his past comments, Bwala said those remarks were made when he was a member of the opposition and were part of political contestation at the time.
“As for what I said about President Tinubu in the past, I am glad those were things I said when I was in the opposition saddle with such zeal. It is all politics.”
He added that political realignments are common in politics, noting that several individuals who once criticised leaders later joined their administrations.
“Half of Donald Trump’s cabinet is made up of people who once spoke against him, and quite a number of people in our own cabinet also spoke against President Tinubu in the past.”
Bwala dismissed reactions from critics, describing many of them as members of the opposition and their supporters.
“The majority of the naysayers are members of the opposition and their sympathisers.”
He also thanked supporters who commended his performance during the interview and maintained respect for the programme’s host.
“I still have admiration and respect for Mehdi Hassan as arguably the best debater on the planet.”
Bwala said he was looking forward to a second part of the interview where discussions would focus more on the Tinubu administration’s policies and achievements.
“I look forward to part two of the Head to Head interview, and I am glad that by then questions about my past will no longer be news so that we can focus on our administration’s policies, programs and what we have achieved so far.”
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