President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has strongly criticized former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai following remarks he made in a recent interview. Bwala accused El-Rufai of making “jumbles of incoherent and disorganized statements” during his appearance on Arise Television.
In the Monday evening interview, El-Rufai made several claims about Tinubu and his administration, including alleging that President Tinubu had personally blocked his appointment as a minister. “The National Assembly had nothing to do with it,” El-Rufai said, dismissing claims that the Senate had withheld his confirmation due to security reports. He instead suggested that the security issue was just an excuse.
The Senate had, in August 2023, withheld El-Rufai’s confirmation as Tinubu’s ministerial nominee, citing security concerns from the State Security Service. However, El-Rufai questioned the validity of these reports, asking, “Since then, has anyone released that report telling us the security issue?” His comments insinuated that there was no substantial basis for his rejection.
El-Rufai also expressed uncertainty regarding his support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. He said that Tinubu was not meeting the expectations that Nigerians had placed on him. “He is failing to take Nigeria to greater heights,” El-Rufai remarked, implying that the current administration was not fulfilling its promises.
Bwala wasted no time in responding to El-Rufai’s accusations. Taking to social media platform X, he dismissed the former governor’s remarks, describing them as an attempt to distort the truth. “Mallam El-Rufai’s interview on Arise news was full of word salad; jumbles of incoherent and disorganized statements,” Bwala wrote. “These responses are aimed at reshaping history and patterns to serve his own agenda.”
Bwala also warned against trusting El-Rufai’s words, asserting that the former governor’s approach to politics was driven by personal ambition. “His philosophy is; if it is not about him, then everybody must be a victim of his ambition. Believe him at your own peril,” Bwala added.
In the interview, El-Rufai had also voiced concerns about the direction the country was headed under Tinubu’s leadership, adding fuel to ongoing debates about the administration’s performance. His remarks seem to signal a growing discontent with Tinubu’s governance, particularly regarding his unmet expectations.
The public spat between El-Rufai and Bwala reflects deeper tensions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). While El-Rufai has been a vocal figure within the party, his recent criticisms of Tinubu suggest a widening rift.
As the 2027 elections approach, it remains to be seen whether El-Rufai’s comments will impact his political future or influence public opinion within the APC.
Peace OdekunleFebruary 26, 20252 Mins read
