Why I sweated defending Tinubu in Al Jazeera interview – Bwala
Presidential media aide Daniel Bwala has explained the circumstances surrounding his widely discussed interview on Al Jazeera, saying the challenge of defending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the global stage was never expected to be easy.
Bwala, who faced criticism on social media following his exchange with veteran journalist Mehdi Hasan on the network’s Head to Head programme, said the role of defending the Nigerian government in tough international interviews comes with enormous pressure.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Bwala acknowledged the backlash that followed the Al Jazeera interview but insisted that appearing before tough interviewers across the world was part of the responsibility of his office.
“In the last 24 hours, social media has exploded over my interview with Mehdi Hasan with varied opinions,” Bwala said, noting that he accepted the task of representing the administration knowing fully the demands of the job.
According to Bwala, defending President Tinubu and his policies on international platforms such as Al Jazeera is far more complex than simply seeking public approval.
“Selling ice cream, looking fine and seeking the praises of men were never part of the job. The task of promoting and defending the President and his administration is what I do with ease and joy,” he said.
Bwala revealed that the Head to Head producers had contacted him months earlier requesting an interview to challenge the administration on issues including security, the economy and corruption.
However, he said he was not informed that questions would also focus on statements he made in the past when he belonged to the opposition.
“If that had been their plan, ethically and professionally they were supposed to inform me so I could prepare my response,” he said.
Despite the criticism that followed the Al Jazeera interview, Bwala maintained that he remains ready to defend the government anywhere in the world.
“I am prepared to appear before any interviewer, anywhere in the world, any day and at any time, to defend this government and its policies,” he said.
The presidential aide also dismissed some of the claims raised during the interview, alleging that several quotes cited by the anchor from organisations and groups were inaccurate or misleading.
Reflecting on his past criticisms of President Tinubu before joining the administration, Bwala said such remarks were part of political contestation.
“It is all politics. Many people who once spoke against leaders later work with them. Even in the United States, several members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet once criticised him,” he said.
Bwala said the controversy surrounding the Al Jazeera interview does not distract him from his mission of promoting the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration.
He added that he looks forward to a second round of the programme, expressing confidence that future discussions would focus more on government policies rather than his past political statements.
