Tinubu rebuilt his party when it was reduced to one state — Bwala fires back at critics

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has dismissed claims that the President is working to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

This follows accusations from leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who allege that President Tinubu is behind the internal crises rocking opposition parties, especially in the wake of recent defections that saw two governors and their cabinet members cross over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In his Democracy Day address, President Tinubu had reiterated his commitment to Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, rejecting suggestions that his administration was suppressing the opposition.

Speaking on Arise Television, Bwala defended the President, saying the ongoing turmoil within the PDP and other opposition groups did not originate from Tinubu’s government.

He described the PDP as a party in decline and argued that Tinubu was not responsible for its woes.

He recalled that during the PDP’s time in power, Tinubu’s party was reduced to controlling only one state in the South-West.

Despite this, Bwala said Tinubu remained resolute and methodically rebuilt his political base, rather than blaming others.

“Nigeria remains a multi-party democracy, but it is dominated by one strong party and several weaker ones. These smaller parties became weak due to their own internal issues. The PDP once ruled Nigeria and was a powerful force, but its crisis began long before President Tinubu even emerged as his party’s flagbearer,” Bwala stated.

He emphasized that President Tinubu cannot be faulted for the growing number of opposition figures joining the APC, saying it’s within their constitutional right to associate freely.

According to him, “The PDP doesn’t have a national leader today. It’s a sinking ship. The President said people jumping ship are welcome — you can’t blame him for that. When his own party was left with just one state, he didn’t complain or play the victim. He rebuilt it.”

Bwala concluded by affirming that politicians across the board, regardless of their affiliations, have the freedom to switch parties, and that Tinubu’s acceptance of defectors is a normal feature of democratic politics.