- Senator Ndume labelled Daniel Bwala a political liability to President Tinubu, criticizing his past alignment with Atiku Abubakar and current actions
- Ndume advised caution regarding Bwala, claiming he seeks sympathy from the President while attempting to instigate political violence in Hawul
Mohammed Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno South, has alleged that Daniel Bwala, former aide of Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, is a political liability to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Following Tinubu’s victory in last year’s election, Bwala distanced himself from Atiku and sought to align with the APC, a party he previously left over its Muslim-Muslim ticket. Before his formal defection, Bwala criticized Ndume for his remarks about the president. In response, Bwala claimed via Twitter that Ndume was planning to mobilize youths to attack him in his local government, Hawul, part of Ndume’s constituency.
Reacting to the allegation at his Maiduguri residence in Borno state, Ndume expressed his disappointment with Bwala and questioned his authenticity as an indigene of Hawul.
Ndume stated, “The only advice I can give President Tinubu is that, politically, Daniel Bwala is just a mad dog who barks and bites even the owner, and so, Tinubu should be careful with the likes of Bwala. Bwala was once a member of the APC but later shamelessly joined Atiku Abubakar, where he started using all sorts of abusive and insulting words against Tinubu on live television. Bwala can only be useful in attacking people, but with the 2027 general elections coming, I can only advise Bwala to come to Borno and trace his roots.”
He added, “Ordinarily, I did not want to join issues with him. I wouldn’t have replied to Mr. Bwala because I believe Bwala’s strategy is to get the attention and sympathy of Mr. President by giving him police cover and maybe a job. I can describe Daniel Bwala as a failed lawyer and an empty drum-making noise in Abuja. As I said, I did not want to respond, but because Bwala talked about threats or that I am mobilizing youths to attack him, which has security implications and is very sensitive.”
Ndume continued by highlighting the credible people in Hawul local government area, stating that they know who Daniel Bwala is. “When I saw his message on X handle, I initially thought it was Inuwa Bwala, the former Caretaker Chairman of Hawul and a renowned journalist. I quickly drew his attention, and he clarified that it was not him. Later, I understood it was Daniel Bwala, who has no political relevance as far as Southern Borno is concerned.”
He further criticized Bwala for trying to portray the peace-loving youths as violent people. “You can’t instigate Hawul people into political violence because it is not in their character. I can only say that Bwala is trying to get sympathy from Mr. President,” he said.
Ndume also emphasized that the interview he granted on Arise TV did not accuse or insult President Tinubu but only criticized some counterproductive policies to average Nigerians.