Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has defended his recent appearance on Al Jazeera’s Head to Head programme, dismissing criticisms that followed the interview.
The interview, hosted by Mehdi Hasan, aired on Thursday and quickly generated reactions on social media, particularly on X, where several clips from the programme went viral. Critics described Bwala’s performance as embarrassing after the host confronted him with past remarks he had made about President Tinubu before defecting from the opposition to the ruling party.
During the interview, Hasan cited Bwala’s previous statements in which he allegedly described Tinubu as corrupt, unfit to lead, and linked him to drug-related allegations. When Bwala denied making some of the comments, the host played video clips of the statements, which intensified online reactions.
The interviewer also questioned Bwala about Nigeria’s security situation, referencing reports by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Critics later argued that the presidential aide struggled to provide data to counter the claims.
Reacting in a statement on Saturday, Bwala dismissed the backlash, describing it as predictable criticism from political opponents and their supporters.
“The majority of the naysayers are members of the opposition and their sympathisers. It does not bother me one bit. Their temporary excitement over the interview has not lasted and will not last,” he said.
Bwala insisted that his role in government is to promote and defend the administration, adding that pleasing critics was never part of his responsibilities.
“Selling ice cream, looking fine, and seeking the praises of men were never part of my job description,” he said.
“My duty is to promote and defend the President and the administration, and I do that with ease and joy.”
He disclosed that the programme’s producers had contacted him nearly six months earlier, requesting an interview to discuss issues such as security, corruption, and the economy.
However, he claimed the organisers never indicated that his past statements would be raised during the discussion.
“Nowhere in our almost six months of communication did they mention that they were going to challenge my past,” Bwala said.
“If that had been their plan, ethically and professionally they should have informed me so I could prepare my response.”
The presidential aide also accused the host of using what he described as “opposition research-style journalism,” claiming that some of the statements attributed to him during the programme were inaccurate while others amounted to “outright fake news.”
On his earlier criticisms of Tinubu before joining the government, Bwala said such remarks were part of political contestation.
“I am glad those were things I said when I was in the opposition saddle with such zeal. It is all politics,” he said
Bwala added that he remained open to further media engagements and would not avoid interviews when discussing the administration’s policies.
“I have never, and will never, subscribe to ducking or dodging interviews on matters that concern promoting and defending the administration I was appointed to serve,” he stated.
He also expressed willingness to return to the programme for another round of discussion, noting that future conversations could focus more on government policies and achievements.
Despite his criticism of the interview, Bwala described Hasan as “arguably the best debater on the planet,” adding that he still respected the journalist.
