70% of Tinubu’s Team Once Opposed Him Politically — Presidency

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has revealed that nearly 70 per cent of those currently working with the President had, at some point, opposed him politically.

He made the revelation in an interview with Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, while responding to concerns that some individuals on the ambassadorial list were undeserving due to their past criticism or opposition to Tinubu.

Bwala recounted a conversation in which Tinubu said his mother taught him to embrace even those who had once stood against him.

“Our posture from the Presidency is to remain silent until the National Assembly completes the confirmation process,” Bwala said.

“We feel that if we intervene, it could prejudice the process. Once they go through it, they will be sworn in as ambassadors. In politics, those who occupy positions must decide whether to work with people who once opposed them. But looking at Tinubu’s history, I can confidently say that more than 70 per cent of those with him had at some point worked against him.”

Bwala further shared his personal experience with the President, “When I first met him on January 10 last year, I tried to apologise because I had been avoiding him. Tinubu told me, ‘You do not even have to go to that extent… what you thought was your fear, you do not have to associate it with me: the Muslim–Muslim ticket.’

“Regarding people who opposed him, he explained that his mother influenced his approach. He said, ‘As the head of the market women, she taught him that if you are angry with people just because they offended you, one day you will wake up and find there are no people left for you to lead.’”

OSUN DEFENDER had reported that Tinubu submitted 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, following an initial batch of three.

The list includes prominent figures such as former INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu, former presidential aide Reno Omokri, former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, and former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

According to Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, all nominees will learn their specific diplomatic postings only after Senate confirmation.

The list features four women among career ambassadors and six among non-career ambassadors.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.

Related posts:

Presidency: Buhari Not Opposed To Restructuring And Other News Headlines Today I Thought Buhari Would Eradicate Boko Haram Insurgency, They Once Chose Him As Negotiator – Jonathan New Minimum Wage: We Are Not Opposed To Payment – Gov Sule Dr. Sharaf: Backlash As Islamic Scholar Who Opposed Photography Spotted Taking Pictures With Clerics