Amanze Chinonye
The Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has defended his recent interview with broadcaster Mehdi Hasan, saying he is prepared to face any interviewer anywhere in the world to promote and defend the policies of the current administration, Prime Business Africa reports.
Bwala stated this in a statement issued on Saturday following widespread reactions on social media to his appearance on Al Jazeera’s programme Head to Head, where he was questioned about the policies and performance of the Tinubu administration.
The presidential aide said seeking praise from people was never part of his decision to serve in government, noting that defending the administration is a responsibility he carries out with ease.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“When I signed on to the privileged job granted to me by Mr President, I was well aware of its implications. Selling ice cream, looking fine and seeking the praises of men were never part of it,” he said.
“I am prepared to appear before any interviewer, anywhere in the world, any day and at any time, to defend this government and its policies.”
Bwala added that he would never avoid interviews concerning the administration he was appointed to serve.
“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 said.
The interview, which focused on issues including Nigeria’s security challenges, the economy and corruption, drew significant attention after Hasan confronted Bwala with several past statements he allegedly made about President Tinubu before joining the current administration.
During the exchange, the host questioned the government’s handling of insecurity and asked whether the administration was comfortable with reports that Nigeria ranks among the world’s deadliest countries.
Responding, Bwala acknowledged that Nigeria faces security challenges but argued that insecurity is not unique to the country.
“I acknowledge the fact that we have insecurity in Nigeria. We began to see back-to-back attacks in Nigeria after the Christian genocide narratives,” he said, adding that no country in the world is completely free from security crises.
The interview also featured questions about Bwala’s past criticism of Tinubu when he was aligned with the opposition and supported the presidential campaign of Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 presidential election.
Hasan pressed the presidential aide on alleged contradictions between those earlier comments and his current role as a spokesman for the administration.
Clips from the exchange circulated widely on social media, triggering mixed reactions from Nigerians. While some critics described the interview as uncomfortable for the presidential spokesman, others said Hasan’s style reflected his reputation for tough and confrontational interviews.
Bwala, however, said the producers of Head to Head had initially indicated that the discussion would focus on issues such as security, the economy and corruption.
According to him, they did not disclose that his past political remarks would be raised during the interview.
“Nowhere in our almost six months of communication did they mention that they were going to challenge my past. If that had been their plan, ethically and professionally, they were supposed to inform me so I could prepare my response,” he said.
He also accused the interviewer of relying on what he described as “opposition research-style journalism,” alleging that some of the quotes attributed to organisations and groups during the interview were inaccurate.
Addressing criticism over his past remarks about Tinubu, Bwala said the statements were made while he was in the opposition and described them as part of normal political dynamics.
He cited the example of the United States, noting that several members of the cabinet of Donald Trump had previously criticised him before later serving in his administration.
Bwala also dismissed his critics as members or sympathisers of opposition parties, saying their reactions did not concern him.
“The majority of the naysayers are members of the opposition and their sympathisers. It does not bother me one bit,” he said.
Despite the controversy surrounding the interview, Bwala expressed admiration for Hasan, describing him as “arguably the best debater on the planet,” and said he looks forward to a second part of the programme where discussions would focus more on the administration’s policies, programmes and achievements.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
