Kehinde Fajobi
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy, has dismissed the recent political activities of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as mere complaints rather than a shift towards opposition politics.
El-Rufai, a vocal northern leader who supported Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, has been vocal in his criticisms of the administration.
Recently, he accused Tinubu of straying from the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign promises, stating that he could no longer recognise the party.
While some speculate that El-Rufai’s criticism is linked to his failed ministerial screening, the ex-governor has asserted that he would have criticised Tinubu’s government regardless of his cabinet status.
The former governor’s actions, including meetings with opposition leaders, sparked rumours of a potential departure from the APC.
However, Bwala, speaking on Arise TV’s The Morning Show on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, downplayed these speculations. He explained that El-Rufai’s comments are expressions of frustration rather than a shift to opposition politics.
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“Most of what Nasir El-Rufai kept talking about, I do not consider them as part of opposition politics because he is not in the opposition, and that’s the mark difference between when I criticised the president because I left the party and when you’re within the party, and then you’re fighting,” Bwala said.
When asked whether he agrees with El-Rufai’s criticisms of the administration, Bwala responded negatively, drawing a parallel to his own time as Governor of Kaduna State when he dismissed similar criticisms.
“I see what he says now as part of expressing his frustration,” Bwala added.