The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has responded to criticism following his recent interview with Mehdi Hasan on Al Jazeera, insisting he is ready to face any interviewer anywhere in the world to defend the administration of Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on Saturday, Bwala said defending the President and his government is not an easy task but one he is fully committed to.
According to him, he accepted the role knowing the responsibilities it carries and never expected universal praise.
He said: “In the last 24 hours, social media has exploded over my interview with Mehdi Hasan, albeit with varied opinions. Let me set the record straight. When I signed on to the privileged job granted to me by Mr President, I was well aware of its implications.”
Bwala added that defending government policies requires courage, stressing that his job is not about popularity but about promoting the administration’s agenda.
The presidential aide said he would never avoid interviews, regardless of how tough the questions may be.
He said some of those criticising him online would struggle to appear on local television programmes, yet expect government spokespersons to avoid challenging global platforms.
“The task of promoting and defending the President and his administration is what I do with ease and joy,” Bwala 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.”
How the Al Jazeera interview happened
Bwala explained that the programme Head to Head contacted him months earlier, saying they wanted to question the Nigerian government on issues such as security, the economy and corruption.
However, he claimed the show did not indicate that his past criticisms of President Tinubu would become part of the interview.
“Nowhere in our almost six months of communication did they mention that they were going to challenge my past,” he said.
“If that had been their plan, ethically and professionally, they were supposed to inform me so I could prepare my response.”
Despite that, he said he did not accept what he described as “opposition research-style journalism” during the interview, alleging that some quotes presented by the host were inaccurate.
‘Past criticisms were politics’
Bwala also addressed criticism over his previous remarks about President Tinubu before joining the administration.
He described those comments as part of political opposition at the time, noting that such shifts are common in politics.
He cited the administration of Donald Trump in the United States as an example, saying several members of Trump’s cabinet had once criticised him before joining his government.
According to Bwala, similar political realignments have happened within Tinubu’s cabinet and the President is not bothered by them.
Bwala praises interviewer despite clash
Despite the heated interview, Bwala said he still respects Mehdi Hasan as one of the best debaters globally.
He also expressed readiness for a second appearance on the programme, saying future discussions should focus on the government’s policies and achievements rather than his past political positions.
