Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, has publicly defended his recent controversial interview on Al Jazeera's “Head to Head” with journalist Mehdi Hasan. Bwala asserted that confronting critics and defending the administration’s policies and actions is an inherent part of his responsibilities, a role he fully understood and accepted upon appointment. He emphasized his unwavering readiness to appear before any interviewer, anywhere in the world, at any time, to advocate for the Tinubu administration.

The interview, which examined Tinubu’s administration under the theme “Nigeria: ‘Renewed Hope’ or ‘Hopelessness’?”, saw Hasan challenging Bwala with numerous past quotes, video clips, and statements. These remarks were made during Bwala’s time in the political opposition, when he was aligned with the presidential campaign of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. Bwala stated that while the program’s producers initially indicated discussions would focus on issues such as security, the economy, and corruption, he was not informed that his past political comments would become a central subject of the interview.

During the heated exchange, Hasan presented several allegations that Bwala vehemently denied. Specifically, Bwala rejected a January 22, 2023, claim attributed to him that President Tinubu had created a militia to corruptly influence the election, stating unequivocally, “Tinubu didn’t create a militia, and I never said that.” He also dismissed an allegation that he had previously questioned suspicious cash movements into Tinubu’s residence during an election period. Furthermore, Bwala denied claims circulating on social media that he had received threats from Tinubu or his political camp after criticizing him, insisting multiple times, “I never said that.”

Bwala characterized parts of the interview as “opposition research-style journalism,” alleging that some quotes attributed to organizations and groups during the programme were inaccurate or even “outright fake news.” Despite the confrontational nature, he expressed admiration and respect for Mehdi Hasan, whom he described as “arguably the best debater on the planet,” and indicated his openness to a second interview. He expressed hope that a potential follow-up discussion would focus more on the administration’s policies and achievements.

Addressing the perceived contradiction between his past criticisms and his current role, Bwala explained that his earlier remarks were made while he served as an opposition figure. He highlighted that “The job of opposition is to oppose,” and that political alliances and positions frequently evolve in democratic systems. He cited examples like half of Donald Trump’s cabinet consisting of former critics, and similar instances within Nigeria's own cabinet, affirming he has no regrets over his previous comments.

Furthermore, Bwala dismissed criticism from opposition figures and their sympathizers following the interview, attributing their reactions to partisan interests rather than substance. He maintained that such “naysayers” lacked alternative policies or a clear path to electoral victory, and their reactions would not deter him from his responsibilities. He concluded by thanking Nigerians and others who commended his performance during the interview, describing their support as encouraging.