Daniel Bwala, yesterday, assumed office as Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, shrugging off public criticisms of his new role.
Addressing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Bwala said: “I only came to introduce myself to you and the role that was given to me by Mr President. That role was once occupied by Ajuri Ngelale.”
President Tinubu has, so far, appointed a number of key media aides under his administration, including Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare; Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Values & Social Justice, Fela Durotoye; and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement, Fredrick Nwabufo, among others.
Addressing newsmen, Bwala, who previously served as a spokesperson for former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, during the 2023 presidential campaign, emphasised the importance of focus amid distractions.
He stated: “When you are focused on a thing, you are going to be faced with distractions.” Bwala highlighted that his appointment was about supporting the President’s administration rather than personal interests. He said: “It’s not about Bwala; it’s about the President,” reinforcing his commitment to the administration’s goals.
“In life, generally, you look at focus. When you are focused on a thing, you are going to be faced with distractions. Your character will be determined by how you conduct yourself in the cause of carrying out the information.
“It’s about the government. It’s about the President. It’s about his administration. It’s not about Bwala, and because these things have been trashed before, I don’t want to feed the negative energy that is obviously sponsored by some elements, who think that by doing so, you can gaslight the President.”
Bwala’s appointment has drawn mixed reactions, including Senator Ali Ndume, who praised Tinubu for demonstrating inclusivity, but urged Bwala to apologise to Vice President Kashim Shettima for past criticisms regarding Shettima’s selection as running mate.
Asked to define his role as there are other two special advisers on media and communication, Bwala reiterated that his role was not about defining others’ responsibilities, but about collaborating effectively within the administration.
“We are working to achieve the mandate of Mr President,” he said.
MEANWHILE, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), yesterday, described Bwala’s appointent as deeply troubling and absolutely immoral. HURIWA told the President that Bwala would labour in vain to communicate any meaningful and tangible achievements of the government to Nigerians due to his ‘moral dilemma’.
HURIWA also decried the failure of President Tinubu to drop ex-Lagos lawmaker Mojisolaoluwa Alli–Macaulay as executive director (operations) of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) amidst unresolved allegations of looting of COVID-19 palliatives, saying it depicted an administration that was not bothered about her poor anti-corruption image.
