President Bola Tinubu's Special Adviser on Media and Policy, Daniel Bwala, has launched a scathing attack on Labour Party's Peter Obi, calling him a "failed politician" who lacks understanding of democracy. The remarks came in response to Obi's recent critique of Nigeria's democratic decline.
The Controversial Exchange
At a birthday colloquium for former Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha on Monday, Obi asserted that Nigeria's democratic gains since 1999 had "collapsed." The former Anambra governor lamented the erosion of governance standards under current leadership.
Bwala fired back via X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday:
- Questioned Obi's Democratic Credentials: "Does he even know the meaning of democracy? When people were fighting for democracy, [Obi] was buying and selling."
- Denounced Activism Record: Accused Obi of having "no history of democratic activism from school days to date."
- Alleged Divisive Tactics: Claimed Obi's expertise lies in "instigating hate speech and vitriol," concluding with "Talk is cheap."
Political Fallout
The verbal clash has intensified tensions between Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition forces:
- Labour Party supporters have dismissed Bwala's comments as diversionary tactics amid economic hardships.
-Civil society groups warn the spat risks trivializing genuine concerns about Nigeria's democratic backsliding.
- Analysts suggest this reflects APC's strategy to discredit Obi ahead of potential 2027 electoral contests.
Obi's Unshaken Stance
Despite the attacks, Obi maintains his position. His media team reiterated: "True democrats focus on issues, not insults. Nigerians are witnessing who truly upholds democratic values."