‘My past criticism of Tinubu was Politics’ – Daniel Bwala reacts to Al Jazeera interview

Presidential media aide, Daniel Bwala, has responded to the controversy trailing his recent interview on Al Jazeera’s Head to Head programme with journalist Mehdi Hasan.

In a statement released on Saturday, Bwala said his past criticisms of President Bola Tinubu were made when he was in the opposition and should be understood within the context of political rivalry.

“In the last 24 hours, social media has exploded over my interview with Mehdi Hassan, albeit with varied opinions. Let me set the record straight,” Bwala said.

He explained that he accepted the role of defending the government knowing fully the responsibilities attached to it.

“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.

“But the task of promoting and defending the President and his administration is what I do with ease and joy. 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,” he added.

Bwala said the interview had been arranged after months of communication with the programme’s producers, who told him the discussion would focus on issues such as security, the economy and corruption.

“Head to Head contacted me requesting an interview, stating that they wanted to challenge our government on security, the economy, and corruption. 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.”

“I refused to swallow the pill of Mehdi’s ‘opposition research-style journalism,’ and even today, if you carefully compare what he read as quotes from organisations and groups, you will see that many were inaccurate and some were outright fake news,” Bwala stated.

The presidential aide stressed that his previous comments about Tinubu were made during his time in the opposition.

“As for what I said about President Tinubu in the past, I am glad those were things I said when I was in the opposition saddle with such zeal. It is all politics,” he said.

He also argued that political realignments are common in politics.

“Half of Donald Trump’s cabinet is made up of people who once spoke against him, and quite a number of people in our own cabinet also spoke against President Tinubu in the past. Those things do not bother him if you care to know,” Bwala added.

Responding to critics of the interview, Bwala said most of the backlash came from members of the opposition.

“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.

He, however, expressed respect for Hasan and hinted that a second part of the interview may follow.

“I still have admiration and respect for Mehdi Hassan as arguably the best debater on the planet. I look forward to part two of the Head to Head interview,” Bwala said.