…Says North Will Reelect President; Opposition Intimidated by Tinubu’s Performance
By Franklin Adole
The Special Adviser on Policy Communication to the President, Daniel Bwala, has said Northern Nigeria remains “extremely comfortable” with President Bola Tinubu’s style of governance, dismissing claims by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, and other prominent northern politicians that the region is ready to vote Tinubu out in 2027.
Lawal had, on Monday, accused Tinubu of neglecting the North and excluding it from key federal projects, revealing that some northern political figures had formed a forum to address the issue and plan their approach to the next general elections.
But speaking yesterday on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Bwala countered Lawal’s assertions, describing them as politically driven and untrue. “Northern Nigeria is extremely comfortable with the governance approach of Mr. President. He is solving the problems in the long term and the problems in the moment. You can see conscious efforts by the president through various policies,” he said.
Responding to a question on whether the presidency acknowledged Nigerians’ complaints over hardship, Bwala insisted things were improving. He maintained that there was a clear difference between the public’s genuine concerns and the “agenda cooked by opposition politicians” who, he claimed, were unsettled by Tinubu’s performance.
Meanwhile, the South-West zonal leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed Tinubu for a second term in office. In a communiqué after their meeting in Akure, the zonal chairman, Chief Isaac Kekemeke, said the zone would recruit canvassers across all 2,000 electoral wards to communicate Tinubu’s policies directly to the grassroots.
Kekemeke said the endorsement followed a performance review which concluded that Tinubu had “done so well” for the people, citing praise from international organisations and global financial institutions. He noted that while the administration’s reforms had caused temporary hardship, they were laying the foundation for prosperity. “We must consolidate this tenure so that after President Tinubu’s eight years, Nigeria can continue to march forward,” he said.
Bwala’s current role in defending Tinubu marks a dramatic turnaround from his position during the 2023 presidential campaign. Then serving as a spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign, he was one of Tinubu’s fiercest critics. He repeatedly questioned Tinubu’s health, fitness for office, and integrity, describing him in televised interviews and social media posts as “unfit to lead Nigeria.” Bwala also accused Tinubu of fostering corruption and running Lagos “like a personal estate.” His defection to Tinubu’s camp after the election sparked controversy, with critics accusing him of opportunism—a charge he denies, insisting his move was driven by patriotism and confidence in the president’s leadership.