Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, has revealed why he will continue to work with President Tinubu rather than former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In a candid conversation during a podcast interview with popular host Nedu, Bwala explained that his preference for Tinubu is rooted in the difference in personal conduct and loyalty shown by both leaders and their political camps.
Bwala, who previously served as a spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 presidential campaign, later switched sides to join President Tinubu’s camp after the election. Speaking on his experience, he said he received more tolerance, respect, and genuine friendship from Tinubu and his associates—even when he left their camp temporarily.
He noted that Tinubu’s camp showed maturity and never publicly attacked or insulted him when he left for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In contrast, he claimed that people close to Atiku became hostile and publicly insulted him when he returned to his political base after the election.
“I will tell you one thing that distinguishes Asiwaju from Atiku,” Bwala said. “When I left Asiwaju and joined the PDP, all the people around Asiwaju, throughout the campaign—even as heated as it was, we were still in good relationship.”
He specifically mentioned close associates of the President, including his son, Seyi Tinubu; the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Hon. James Faleke; and Babajimi Benson. According to Bwala, these individuals continued to maintain cordial relations with him, regardless of political differences.
“That’s true friendship,” Bwala said. “The president (Tinubu) had never at any point displayed anger towards me. He could have, but he didn’t. That says a lot about the kind of leader he is.”
On the other hand, Bwala described his experience with Atiku’s political camp as bitter and disappointing. He said that after the 2023 elections, he moved on because Atiku was no longer the leader of the PDP. But instead of understanding his decision, many people close to Atiku launched personal attacks against him in the media.
“Everybody around Atiku started frowning and going to the media cursing me. That’s a reflection of what either the leader promotes or what he doesn’t tolerate,” he said.
Bwala stressed that his decision to support President Tinubu is based not just on politics but on personal experience and how he was treated by both leaders and their supporters.
“If I come back to life, on the evidence of these two experiences, I would rather work with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,” he declared.
Daniel Bwala’s comments come at a time when political loyalties in Nigeria remain sharply divided, particularly between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The 2023 presidential election deepened those divisions, with many high-profile defections and changes in alliances, including Bwala’s.
While Bwala’s support for Atiku during the election was seen as significant at the time, his recent public praise for President Tinubu may be viewed as a major political shift. Observers believe it also highlights ongoing tensions within the PDP, where several members have expressed dissatisfaction over leadership and direction following the party’s loss at the polls.
