Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, denied several past statements attributed to him during an appearance on Al Jazeera’s “Head to Head” programme hosted by Mehdi Hasan.

The interview, which examined Tinubu’s administration under the theme “Nigeria: ‘Renewed Hope’ or ‘Hopelessness’?”, saw Hasan confronting Bwala with previous comments, video clips, and statements from the period when he supported former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

During the exchange, Hasan referred to a January 22, 2023, comment in which Bwala allegedly accused Tinubu of creating a militia to influence the election.

“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 cited another past claim suggesting suspicious cash movements into Tinubu’s residence during an election.

“I never said that,” Bwala replied.

The interviewer further referenced clips circulating on social media in which Bwala previously alleged that Tinubu or people linked to him had threatened him, including claims of intimidation after he criticised the then-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

“I never said that,” Bwala insisted when questioned about the remarks.

Responding to questions about his current defence of the president, Bwala said his earlier comments were made when he belonged to the opposition.

He explained that at the time he was performing the role of an opposition figure, noting that “the job of opposition is to oppose”.

Bwala added that those statements were political rhetoric made in the heat of the campaign and said they no longer reflect his present role as a member of the president’s administration. (TRIBUNE)