Bwala fires back at critics over fiery Mehdi Hassan interview

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Special Adviser to President on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has defended his recent fiery interview with Mehdi Hassan amid social media backlash, dismissing critics as opposition sympathisers lacking vision.

In a statement he personally signed, Bwala clarified he anticipated tough questions on security, economy, and corruption—not his past opposition remarks. “When I signed on to the privileged job granted to me by Mr. President, I was well aware of its implications. Selling ice cream, looking fine, and seeking the praises of men were never part of it,” he wrote. He affirmed his readiness: “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.”

Bwala accused Head to Head of ambush journalism by not disclosing plans to grill him on prior anti-Tinubu statements.

“Nowhere in our almost six months of communication did they mention that they were going to challenge my past. If that had been their plan, ethically and professionally, they were supposed to inform me so I could prepare my response,” he stated. He rejected Mehdi’s approach: “I refused to swallow the pill of Mehdi’s ‘opposition research-style journalism,’ and even today, if you carefully compare what he read as quotes from organisations and groups, you will see that many were inaccurate and some were outright fake news.”

On his past criticisms, Bwala called it “all politics,” citing U.S. parallels. “Half of Donald Trump’s cabinet is made up of people who once spoke against him, and quite a number of people in our own cabinet also spoke against President Tinubu in the past. Those things do not bother him if you care to know,” he noted. He mocked detractors: “The majority of the naysayers are members of the opposition and their sympathisers… They have no path to victory and no alternative policies… as the saying in Hausa goes ‘Ga fili Ga doki’.”

Bwala thanked supporters and welcomed a rematch. “I still have admiration and respect for Mehdi Hassan as arguably the best debater on the planet. I look forward to part two of the Head to Head interview.”