Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has addressed controversies surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s historical financial records in the United States, particularly those linked to alleged drug-related investigations in Chicago.
Recent legal developments have revived discussions about sealed documents and their implications for Nigeria’s global image.
Bwala, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, dismissed the renewed focus on the issue as a political smokescreen by the opposition.
“There is actually no issue in this thing,” he said.
“If you read the judgment, the court even dismissed the idea of joining the CIA. As for the FBI and DEA, the court only said: if you think there are documents that haven’t been released, come on May 2 and talk to us.”
He maintained that most of the documents in question had already been in the public domain “for ages” and accused the opposition of trying to mislead Nigerians.
“The optics they are chasing are fictitious. We deal with facts before the court,” he insisted.
“If there is anything new, come on May 2. But I can guarantee you, there is nothing there.
Bwala brushed aside concerns that the allegations, particularly those referencing drug-related money and asset forfeiture, could taint Nigeria’s international reputation.
“These are optics, not facts,” he said.
“In any case, whatever happened before he became president is not actionable. The Nigerian people debated this during the 2023 campaign, and they still voted for him.”
Bwala expressed worries over the loyalty of Borno South Senator Ali Ndume, declaring that the lawmaker’s “spirit and soul” have already aligned with the opposition, even though he remains physically within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Bwala advised the APC leadership to be vigilant, noting that Ndume may already be positioning himself with the growing coalition of opposition forces ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Let me tell you today, and I want everybody to hear, especially the chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje,” Bwala said.
“Senator Ali Ndume’s spirit and soul are with the coalition; it is his body that is in APC. He is already going.”
Bwala likened Ndume’s political posture to that of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, who recently defected from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“It is better the way El-Rufai did: just say I am leaving,” Bwala added.
“You’d give more honour and credit to El-Rufai that he didn’t feel he could stay and be a snitch.”
Reacting to suggestions of a looming political realignment involving figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and El-Rufai, Bwala described them as a “coalition for a wild goose chase.”
“This coalition is not built on ideology or national interest; it’s a desperate association to grab power,” he claimed.
“One minute they say come to SDP, the next it’s PDP. There is no coherence, no policy, just opportunism.”
Bwala reiterated that President Tinubu is focused on governance, not re-election.
Responding to questions about campaign billboards promoting Tinubu’s 2027 ambition, Bwala clarified that the presidency is not connected to them and suggested that they might be the handiwork of mischief-makers.(SaharaReporters)
