A spokesman for the campaign organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in last year’s presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Barrister Daniel Bwala has refuted claims that his declared support for President Bola Tinubu portrayed a betrayal to his former principal.
“It’s absolute nonsense for somebody to say because I said I will support President Bola Tinubu, therefore, I betrayed Atiku”, the lawyer said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme on Sunday.
Last week, Bwala, who was in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) until he defected to the PDP in the buildup to last February’s presidential election, said that he was committed to supporting President Tinubu-led administration, even if that required him to defect to the APC.
While addressing State House correspondents after closed-door talks with the President at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, Bwala said: “I told him today, I am committing to play my part to support your administration, and I have no apologies to anybody”.
“APC is a party. President Bola Tinubu is my motivation; if supporting him will take me to APC, so be it”, he stated when asked if he would defect to the APC.
During his interview on Sunday, the PDP chieftain noted that his visit – before and after – to President Tinubu, was known to Atiku, whom he had informed in both instances.
“I informed Atiku Abubakar I was going to see the President. After I had seen the President, I informed him (Atiku) that I had just seen the President and he replied me that, ‘Thanks Daniel for notifying me”, he said.
When asked whether he remained a member of the ruling APC or the PDP, Bwala noted that he remains a PDP member, adding that such a question didn’t surface when some state governors who are also members of the PDP threw their support behind the President.
The PDP chieftain likened his job as the PDP presidential candidate’s spokesman during the last campaign to that of a salesman with the responsibility of selling a product and demarketing competitors.
“As a spokesman, that was my duty. I exhibited what I believe to be the quality to the best of my knowledge”, Bwala said.
Bwala stated that his visit to the President was greeted with open arms.
He recalled that President Tinubu appreciated his criticisms and views on governance-related issues.
“When I walked in, the first thing he said was “Daniel Bwala, it’s nice to see you. I’ve been following your interviews and even your tweets about your opinion of issues of government. And I must say you’re one of the most intelligent young men, very articulate and respectful in the conduct of your duty”, Bwala quoted President Tinubu as saying.
Being a former APC member, Bwala dumped the ruling party when President Tinubu announced his running mate as ex-Borno governor, Kashim Shettima.
The lawyer and politician faulted President Tinubu’s choice of a Muslim running mate as himself was one, and quickly joined the campaign train of Atiku, a Muslim and ex-Vice President, who chose a Christian as running mate, ex-Delta governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.
Bwala noted that the President said he didn’t fancy his departure from the party as he (President Tinubu) “didn’t represent the character of somebody that will use religion to disenfranchise people”.
