They Tried to Trap Me on Al Jazeera – Tinubu Aide, Daniel Bwala Lament

The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has responded to criticism following his recent appearance on the “Head to Head” programme of Al Jazeera, stating that he was not informed beforehand that the interview would focus on his past remarks about the president.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Bwala explained that the programme’s producers had initially told him the interview would focus on the administration’s handling of security, the economy, and corruption.

According to him, discussions between his team and the producers lasted nearly six months, yet he was never told that questions would centre on statements he allegedly made in the past while in opposition.

“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,” Bwala said.

Despite the controversy, the presidential aide maintained that he remains ready to defend the Tinubu administration at any platform around the world.

“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,” he added.

The interview gained widespread attention after the programme’s host, Mehdi Hasan, confronted Bwala with past comments he allegedly made about President Tinubu during the 2023 presidential campaign when he supported former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

During the discussion, Hasan referenced 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 stated.

Bwala rejected the claim, insisting he never made such a statement.

“Tinubu didn’t create a militia, and I never said that,” he replied.

Hasan also referenced alleged comments about cash movements into Tinubu’s residence during an election period, which Bwala again denied.

“I never said that,” he insisted.

The host further cited video clips circulating online in which Bwala allegedly claimed that Tinubu or individuals linked to him had threatened him, a claim the presidential aide also rejected.

Reacting to the criticism that followed the interview, Bwala said some of the claims presented by the interviewer were inaccurate and described the questioning style as resembling opposition research.

“I refused to swallow the pill of Mehdi’s opposition research-style journalism,” he said, adding that some of the quotes attributed to organisations and groups during the interview were either inaccurate or misleading.

However, he maintained respect for Hasan, describing him as one of the most skilled debaters globally.

“I still have admiration and respect for Mehdi Hasan as arguably the best debater on the planet,” Bwala said.

Addressing concerns over his past criticisms of President Tinubu, Bwala said those comments were made while he was part of the opposition and should be viewed within the context of political competition.

“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 stated.

He noted that political realignments are common globally, pointing out that several members of the cabinet of former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously criticised him before later joining his administration.

Bwala also dismissed much of the backlash as coming from political opponents and their supporters.

“The majority of the naysayers are members of the opposition and their sympathisers,” he said.

The presidential aide expressed appreciation to supporters who praised his performance during the interview and said he looks forward to the second part of the programme.

According to him, future discussions should focus more on the policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration rather than his past political statements.

“I look forward to part two of the Head to Head interview so that we can focus on our administration’s policies, programmes, and what we have achieved so far,” Bwala said.