Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, has defended the President’s appointment of aides and heads of government agencies, saying they are “strategic” and not based on ethnic bias.
Sundiata Post reports that Bwala made these comments on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, while reacting to recent claims by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume from Borno South. Ndume had accused President Tinubu of favoring the Yoruba ethnic group in his appointments.
In response, Bwala rejected the allegation and said the President’s choices were driven by national priorities rather than tribal sentiments.
He gave an example related to national security, saying, “Let me give you a good scenario. Where in this country is the most hit by insecurity? Northern Nigeria. The Chief of Defence Staff, the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of State for Defence—where are they from? These appointments are strategic. If you send somebody from another part of Nigeria to deal with insecurity, they can read meanings to it.”
Bwala also said appointments made from Southern Nigeria were based on the country’s economic needs, pointing out that the South is home to Nigeria’s major commercial centers.
“Where are the bases for the commercial nerves of this country? Southern Nigeria. So it makes sense to put people who have an understanding of that place,” he added.
He further explained that the appointments made so far were not the complete list, noting that President Tinubu still has over 7,000 appointments to make, and that people from different parts of Nigeria would continue to be considered.
“I am just saying, in terms of the general spread of the appointments—we have over 7,000 appointments to be given. Even the list of Ambassadors has not been released. Many more people are going to come into government,” Bwala concluded.
