Obi denies seeking Bwala’s support for 2023 campaign

Former Labour Party presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, on Friday rejected claims made by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, alleging that he tried to recruit him for his 2023 presidential election efforts.

Obi stated that the claim was not worthy of a response, affirming he had no interactions with Bwala and would not partake in what he termed “transactional politics.”

The ex-governor of Anambra State clarified his position in a statement released in Abuja by his media representative, Ibrahim Umar, amidst increasing exchanges among political figures regarding the 2023 general election situation.

The statement expressed, “Typically, we wouldn’t respond to Bwala’s unfounded allegations due to his established record of dishonesty. Nonetheless, we believe it is important to clarify this issue for the public, who might be misled.

“Obi has made a point of excluding individuals like Bwala from his political initiatives and any type of transactional politics that enable individuals like him to thrive in political environments. The Obi known and respected by Nigerians would never engage in such dealings. He would prefer to direct resources toward providing desks for children in Bwala’s village than to pay him to fabricate untruths for public consumption.

“Obi’s philosophy is grounded in striving for effective governance and the establishment of an improved society for everyone. He does not compensate individuals to advocate for a cause; rather, he encourages them to embrace a mutual vision with him. Repeatedly, we urge Bwala and individuals like him to exclude Obi from their selfish schemes, repent, and join us in the pursuit of a new Nigeria.”

This rebuttal comes in response to recent statements made by Bwala, who claimed that Obi had tried to recruit him for the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign.

In a discussion with On-Air Personality Daddy Freeze, Bwala indicated that the request was relayed through former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a meeting held in London.

Bwala shared that this discussion took place while Obasanjo was at the Hilton Hotel with Obi’s running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, along with other political figures.

Despite his admiration for Obasanjo, Bwala stated that he turned down the proposal. He also asserted that Ambassador Amuchi Osuk had been designated by Obi’s team to oversee preliminary campaign operations.

The presidential adviser also addressed assumptions regarding his political position at the time, mentioning that some critics believed he would naturally align with a Christian candidate rather than support the Muslim-Muslim ticket that eventually emerged under the ruling All Progressives Congress.

This exchange contributes to the ongoing political contention between supporters of the current administration and opposition figures following the 2023 elections.