‘I never said that’ — Bwala denies past claims on Tinubu during Al Jazeera grilling

Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy communication, repeatedly denied previously making critical comments about the president.

Bwala spoke during an appearance on Al Jazeera’s “Head to Head” programme anchored by Mehdi Hasan.

In the episode examining Tinubu’s administration under the theme “Nigeria: ‘Renewed Hope’ or ‘Hopelessness’?”, Hasan confronted Bwala with old quotes, clips, and statements from his time as an opposition figure aligned with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s campaign.

When the host referenced Bwala’s January 22, 2023, claim that Tinubu created a militia to influence the election corruptly, he denied making the remark.

“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 brought up Bwala’s past remark about suspicious cash movements into Tinubu’s residence during an election, to which he again responded, “I never said that.”

On personal threats, clips circulated on social media showing him previously claiming Tinubu or members of his camp had threatened him, including references to intimidation after criticising the then-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Bwala denied ever making such claims, saying, “I never said that” when pressed.

The president’s aide explained his shift, noting he was in opposition at the time, where “the job of opposition is to oppose”.

He added that those past statements were part of political rhetoric and no longer relevant in his current role defending the president. (The Cable)