Peter Obi Denies Bwala’s Claim Of Attempt To Recruit Him Into 2023 Campaign
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has rejected claims by Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, that he tried to enlist him in his campaign during the 2023 presidential election. Obi said the allegation was not worth responding to, maintaining that he has never had any political dealings with Bwala and does not participate in what he described as “transactional politics.” The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by Obi’s media aide, Ibrahim Umar, amid renewed public debate over events surrounding the 2023 general election. The statement read, “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, who may be misled. “Obi has made it clear that he excludes individuals like Bwala from his political activities and any form of transactional politics that sustain people like him in political circles. 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. “Obi’s approach is rooted in the pursuit of good governance and the creation 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 response followed remarks made by Bwala, who recently alleged that Obi had attempted to recruit him into the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign. Speaking during an interview with On-Air Personality Daddy Freeze, Bwala claimed the request was delivered through former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a meeting held in London. According to him, the discussion took place at the Hilton Hotel, where Obasanjo was meeting with Obi’s running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, and other political stakeholders. Bwala said he declined the offer despite his respect for the former president. He also alleged that Ambassador Amuchi Osuk had been appointed by Obi’s team to coordinate early campaign activities. He further addressed speculation about his political position at the time, noting that some observers believed he would naturally support a Christian candidate rather than the Muslim-Muslim ticket later adopted by the ruling All Progressives Congress.
