Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has strongly defended his appearance on Al Jazeera’s Head to Head programme, dismissing the backlash that followed the interview and challenging journalist Mehdi Hasan to another debate.
In a strongly worded statement on Saturday, Bwala described the criticism from opposition supporters as a wave of “temporary excitement” from individuals he said lacked the vision and capacity to lead Nigeria.
“Selling ice cream, looking fine, and seeking praises were never part of the job,” Bwala said, stressing that his role is to defend the policies and record of President Tinubu’s administration anywhere in the world.
He insisted he remains fully prepared to defend the government “any day, any time, and anywhere.”
Bwala also accused Hasan’s team of engaging in what he called “ambush journalism,” claiming that discussions leading up to the interview had lasted for about six months and were centred mainly on questions regarding Nigeria’s security challenges, the economy and corruption.
According to him, the interview unexpectedly shifted to his previous criticisms of Tinubu from his days in the opposition.
“Ethically, they should have informed me,” he said, adding that several of the quotes attributed to him during the programme were taken out of context and presented in what he described as an “opposition research style.”
Bwala dismissed the resurfaced statements as old political rhetoric, arguing that such disagreements are common in politics. He pointed to examples in international politics, including former rivals working together in governments after elections.
He also noted that President Tinubu’s administration includes individuals who previously criticised him but later joined his team after the election.
Responding to critics online, Bwala said many opposition supporters who criticised him would struggle to handle the pressure of similar television interviews.
Using a Hausa proverb, “Ga fili ga doki,” which translates to “show the horse’s teeth,” he challenged them to appear on the same programme and defend their own policies.
“Go to Head to Head and defend your so-called policies,” he said.
Despite his criticism of the interview format, Bwala praised Mehdi Hasan, describing him as one of the best debaters globally and acknowledging the journalist’s reputation for tough questioning.
He also thanked supporters around the world who had reached out following the broadcast.
Bwala concluded by calling for a second debate, saying that if another interview takes place, discussions should focus more on the achievements and policies of the current administration rather than his past political statements.
What you should know
Daniel Bwala previously served as a spokesperson for opposition politics before joining President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
His appearance on Al Jazeera’s Head to Head, hosted by Mehdi Hasan, triggered widespread debate on social media, with critics questioning his past statements about Tinubu and supporters praising his defence of the government.
