Tinubu’s Aide, Bwala, Joins Critics Blasting Ex-Kaduna Governor El-Rufai

• Daniel Bwala criticized El-Rufai’s remarks as “incoherent” and aimed at distorting truth about Tinubu’s administration

• El-Rufai accused Tinubu of withdrawing his ministerial nomination after public pleas for him to serve

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, has joined the growing list of critics slamming former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent remarks about the president.

During an interview on Arise Television on Monday night, El-Rufai alleged that Tinubu had publicly pleaded with him to serve as a cabinet minister, only to withdraw his nomination later.

“The president begged me publicly to come and serve in his government. I had my plans and I told President Tinubu from day one when he asked me to support him, I said I would but I don’t want anything, because politics in Nigeria is always about what do I get for giving you support?” El-Rufai stated.

He also criticized the Tinubu administration, accusing it of failing to meet Nigerians’ expectations in tackling economic and security challenges. Additionally, he hinted at uncertainty over whether he would support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

However, in response, Bwala dismissed El-Rufai’s claims, calling his statements “jumbles of incoherent and disorganized responses aimed at distorting the truth.”

In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, Bwala wrote:

@elrufai Mallam El-Rufai’s interview on Arise News was full of word salad—jumbles of incoherent and disorganized statements and responses aimed at distorting the truth in order to re-shape history and patterns.

“His philosophy is: if it is not about him, then everybody must be a victim of his ambition. Believe him at your own peril.”

Bwala’s reaction follows similar criticism from National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu and former Kaduna senator Shehu Sani, both of whom condemned El-Rufai’s remarks.

The controversy continues to fuel political tensions, as observers weigh the implications of El-Rufai’s statements on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tinubu’s administration.