‘Don’t question me like a child’ — Bwala clashes with Rufai Oseni on Arise TV

Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy communication, engaged in a heated exchange with Rufai Oseni, co-host of The Morning Show on Arise Television.

The confrontation began when Oseni raised questions about reports suggesting Bwala had been demoted from his initial position as presidential spokesperson.

Bwala was announced as special adviser on media and public communications on 14 November.

Afterwards, Bwala told journalists at the State House that he would be taking over from Ajuri Ngelale, the former spokesperson to the president.

But a clarification from the presidency indicated that the president would have three spokespersons — Bwala, Bayo Onanuga, and Sunday Dare.

During Tuesday’s interview, Oseni pressed Bwala on the alleged demotion, prompting a critique of his questioning style.

Bwala denied being corrected by any individual regarding his role, insisting that the clarification came from the presidency.

“You cannot control me or talk to me like a secondary school student. If you ask a question, park and listen to the answer,” he said.

“Ordinarily I would have said it is none of your business but I would help you, my office is 101 in the state house, presidential villa.

“I am a special adviser to the president. I was initially announced as special adviser on media public communication, redesigned to special adviser on policy communication, status special adviser, no demotion, the same.

“I had unfettered access to the president last week and we had a meeting. You said Sunday Dare and Bayo Onanuga corrected me, that’s wrong, it was a press statement that came from the presidency and there was no specific individual that corrected me.

“I’m still a presidential spokesman. The statement that was issued said instead of one there are three presidential spokesmen.”

He also dismissed his previous criticisms of Tinubu while he was a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“I was in the opposition. In case you don’t know, the rule of the opposition is to oppose the government. In doing so, you de-emphasize the strength of the government and emphasize your strength,” he said.

“Where they have strength, you allow them to argue their matter. They raise their case in their own strength and not in the weakness of the opposition.

“When I made the decision on the 10th of January after I visited the president, from that time till now, I speak well of the president and support his activities.”