Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Friday dismissed claims by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, that he sought his support for the 2023 presidential campaign.
In a statement issued in Abuja by his media aide, Ibrahim Umar, Obi described the allegations as baseless and reiterated that he had no dealings with Bwala, whom he described as emblematic of “transactional politics.”
“Normally, we would not dignify Bwala’s baseless accusations with a reply, given his well-documented history of dishonesty. However, we feel it is necessary to address this matter for the benefit of the public,” the statement read.
Obi emphasized that his political approach excludes individuals like Bwala and that his focus remains on good governance and societal development.
“The Obi that Nigerians know and appreciate will never engage in such practices. He would rather allocate resources to provide desks for children in Bwala’s village than pay him to concoct falsehoods for public consumption,” the statement added.
“Obi’s approach is rooted in the pursuit of a better society for all. He does not pay people to promote a cause; instead, he invites them to join him in believing in a shared vision. For the umpteenth time, we call on Bwala and others like him to count Obi out of their greed, repent, and join us in the quest for a new Nigeria.”
The rebuttal follows Bwala’s recent claim that Obi attempted to enlist him in the Labour Party’s 2023 campaign. In an interview with On-Air Personality Daddy Freeze, Bwala said the overture was allegedly conveyed through former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a meeting in London, attended by Obi’s running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, and other political stakeholders.
Bwala stated that, despite his respect for Obasanjo, he declined the alleged offer. He also claimed that Ambassador Amuchi Osuk had been appointed by Obi’s team to coordinate early campaign activities.
Addressing questions about his political orientation at the time, Bwala noted that some observers assumed he would naturally support a Christian candidate rather than the Muslim-Muslim ticket ultimately fielded by the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The exchange adds to the ongoing political sparring between figures aligned with the current administration and opposition actors in the aftermath of the 2023 elections.
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