Exclusive! Atiku Disowns His Former Spokesperson Bwala See Why

iexclusivenews – In a surprising move, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has publicly distanced himself from Daniel Bwala, who was one of the spokespersons for his presidential campaign in the 2023 election.

Atiku, who contested under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), issued a statement through his media office on Tuesday, stating that Mr Bwala was never his aide.

But only a volunteer who offered his services as a spokesperson during the campaign period.

He said Mr Bwala’s role ended with the conclusion of the election last year, and he had no further affiliation with him.

The statement read in part:

“It is important that the media and the general public take corrective note of defining Mr Daniel Bwala as an aide to His Excellency Atiku Abubakar. Bwala offered his services and support to the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization as a spokesperson – and it was a position he held during the last presidential campaign.”

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Daniel Bwala’s U-turn

Atiku’s statement came at a time when Mr Bwala was seen cozying up to President Bola Tinubu, who defeated Atiku in the 2023 election.

Mr Bwala, who was a fierce critic of Mr Tinubu and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), during the campaigns, suddenly became a fan of his policies and programs after he assumed office as the president.

He expressed his admiration and support for Mr Tinubu on various social media platforms and national TV stations, earning him invitations to meet with the president in Nigeria and abroad.

On January 11, he visited the Presidential Villa as a guest of the president, and afterwards, he declared his loyalty and commitment to working for him.

He said:

“In the last few days, I have been expressing my surprise and appreciation to the president for the decisions he is taking. So this is not about political parties. And you need to know that like I said, I was with him before I left.”

He also claimed that he informed Atiku of his intention to meet with Mr Tinubu, and that Atiku responded by saying, “Thanks for notifying me”.

Later in January, he met with Mr Tinubu again in France, sparking rumours of his possible defection to the ruling APC.

The Backstory

Mr Bwala’s change of allegiance is a remarkable twist in a political saga that began when Mr Tinubu chose Kashim Shettima, a Muslim and former governor of Borno State, as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.

Mr Bwala, who was a supporter of Mr Tinubu during the APC primaries, was unhappy with the Muslim/Muslim ticket, which he considered divisive and insensitive to the religious diversity of the country.

He resigned from the APC and joined the PDP, where he became a spokesperson for Atiku, who picked Peter Okowa, a Christian and former governor of Delta State, as his running mate.

Mr Bwala was vocal in his criticism of Mr Tinubu and the APC, accusing them of being clueless, corrupt, and incompetent.

He also defended Atiku and the PDP, portraying them as the better alternative for the nation.

However, his efforts were not enough to secure victory for Atiku, who lost to Mr Tinubu by a wide margin.

Read Atiku’s Full Statement

PRESS RELEASE

Bwala is a former spokesperson of Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation and not a former aide to the former Vice President.

It is important that the media and the general public take corrective note of defining Mr Daniel Bwala as an aide to His Excellency Atiku Abubakar.

Bwala offered his services and support to the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization as a spokesperson – and it was a position he held during the last presidential campaign.

Subsequently, and after the election, the need for a campaign spokesperson has terminated, and Bwala has moved on with his career.

This, therefore, serves as notice to the media and the interested public to desist from defining Bwala as an ex-aide of Atiku Abubakar.

We duly urge the public to henceforth recognise Mr Bwala as a private citizen who is free to associate with whomever he pleases.

Signed:

Atiku Media Office

Abuja

13th February, 2024.