Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy communication, has denied previously making critical statements about the president.
He spoke during an appearance on Al Jazeera’s “Head to Head” programme.
Bwala was confronted by programme host Mehdi Hasan with past comments and clips from his time with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s campaign.
During the interview, Hasan referenced a January 22, 2023 statement in which Bwala allegedly claimed Tinubu created a militia to influence the presidential election.
“You said Tinubu started a militia to sway the election corruptly,” Hasan said.
Bwala, however, rejected the claim, responding: “Tinubu didn’t create a militia, and I never said that.”
The host also cited another alleged remark about suspicious cash movements into Tinubu’s residence during the election period, but Bwala again denied making such a statement.
“I never said that,” he insisted.
Hasan further referenced social media clips suggesting Bwala had previously claimed that Tinubu or members of his camp threatened him for criticising the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
But Bwala dismissed the claim, maintaining that he never made such allegations.
Explaining his earlier political position, the presidential aide said he was in opposition at the time and that opposition figures are expected to challenge those in power.
“The job of opposition is to oppose,” he said, adding that the statements attributed to him were part of political rhetoric and no longer relevant in his current role defending the administration.