Daniel Bwala, the newly appointed Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has spoken out in defense of his appointment, addressing public criticism and reaffirming his commitment to the administration’s objectives.
In an exclusive interview with State House correspondents on Monday, Bwala, who previously served as the spokesperson for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 presidential election campaign, responded to mixed reactions surrounding his new role.
Bwala, who is now working closely with President Tinubu, emphasized that his appointment is about supporting the government and the president’s vision for the country, rather than focusing on personal attacks.
“When you are focused on a thing, you are going to be faced with distraction,” Bwala said. “It’s not about Bwala; it’s about the president. It’s about the government. It’s about his administration.”
Bwala’s appointment has sparked a wave of criticism, with many questioning his suitability for the position due to his past political affiliations. However, Bwala dismissed the negative sentiments, attributing them to external forces trying to derail the President’s agenda.
“It’s not about Bwala and because these things have been trashed before, I don’t want to feed the negative energy that is obviously sponsored by some elements who think that by doing so, you can gaslight the President,” he added. “The President is committed, and we are committed to the force of the President, so I won’t feed into that energy.”
Mixed Reactions and Calls for Unity
Bwala’s appointment has not been without controversy. Senator Ali Ndume, a prominent figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), commended President Tinubu for promoting inclusivity but suggested that Bwala should apologize to Vice President Kashim Shettima. Ndume referenced Bwala’s past remarks about Shettima’s selection as Tinubu’s running mate, which some believed were critical.
“Senator Ndume’s comments deserve serious applause,” Bwala remarked. “But we need unity within the party. As for the issue with Vice President Shettima, I have a fantastic relationship with him, and we’ve discussed those comments in good spirits.”
Bwala revealed that upon hearing about Ndume’s remarks, he reached out to Vice President Shettima, and the two men shared a light-hearted conversation about the issue. He expressed confidence that the relationship between him and the Vice President had grown stronger since the National Assembly leadership selection process.
“I have a very fantastic relationship with the Vice President, which even started before the judgment of the court was delivered regarding the matter,” Bwala shared. “Since then, we’ve been having very good relations. I know that the senator in question is having some troubled times. All I can say is that we need to pray for him, for God to guide and help.”
Despite these challenges, Bwala remained focused on his new responsibilities and emphasized that unity and collaboration were essential for the progress of the administration.
Commitment to the President’s Mandate
Bwala also addressed concerns about his role, given the presence of two other Special Advisers on Media and Communication in the administration. Critics had raised questions about the division of responsibilities among the media team, but Bwala was quick to clarify that collaboration and teamwork would be key to achieving President Tinubu’s goals.
“We are working to achieve the mandate of Mr. President,” Bwala said. “What I can tell you is that, like I said, all of us are servants of the president. There is no issue as to the differences in terms of responsibility. Everybody knows his responsibility. I am not here to define the responsibility of anybody other than myself because it will amount to gas-lighting others.”
Bwala’s appointment was seen as an effort to strengthen communication between the presidency and the public, with the media playing an essential role in promoting government policies and initiatives. Bwala stressed that while he was responsible for his specific role, collaboration with his colleagues was crucial in ensuring the administration’s message was effectively conveyed.
“I only came to introduce myself to you and the role that was given to me by Mr. President,” Bwala explained. “That role was once occupied by Ajuri Ngelale, but for God’s sake, we are all colleagues. We are not particularly bothered about who is this or who is that. We are working to achieve the mandate of Mr. President.”
Bwala’s remarks highlight his focus on unity, teamwork, and the importance of the administration’s work, regardless of the distractions surrounding his appointment.
country, not personal grievances or past conflicts. As the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, he aims to play a key role in shaping the public perception of the Tinubu administration and ensuring that its policies are communicated effectively to the Nigerian people.
