Nigerians Slam Bwala For Discrediting Obi’s Voice On Democracy

Daniel Bwala’s claim that Peter Obi had no role in Nigeria’s democratic struggle triggered a wave of criticism, with many Nigerians defending Obi’s stance.

Presidential aide Daniel Bwala has come under heavy criticism online following his statement that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, had no role in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.

Bwala, who serves as President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, claimed that Obi should not speak on issues related to the June 12, 1993 democracy movement. According to him, Obi was abroad at the time, focused on business, not activism. “Please can someone confirm to me whether it is true that on June 12, 1993 and weeks after that @PeterObi Peter Gregory Obi was in Malaysia or somewhere in Asia doing buying and selling trading business?” Bwala posted on 𝕏. “I searched the internet to see any of his involvement in the struggle for democracy, I couldn’t see any link ohh.”

These comments followed Obi’s Democracy Day message, where he encouraged President Tinubu to admit that the process that brought him to power was flawed—similar to what the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua once did. Obi also praised former President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat in 2015 to protect Nigeria’s democracy. Obi has repeatedly said that the 2023 election lacked transparency and that Tinubu’s administration does not reflect true democratic values.

However, it was Bwala’s attack that sparked outrage across social media, with many users turning their criticism toward the presidential aide himself.

One user, @Udoh_D, challenged Bwala’s logic by questioning Tinubu’s own involvement in the democracy struggle. “Can you show any evidence of Tinubu’s involvement… aside from fleeing to London to cool off? Uncle Dele even housed him at some point,” he wrote.

@Colman12Francis wrote, “Let us assume that Tinubu fought for democracy in 1993. Are you suggesting that he should be a life president? If fighting for democracy qualifies him to be the president, what shall we say of those who fought for independence?”

Another user, @Chidire, accused Bwala of using Obi to remain relevant, saying, “You understand what ‘waste of public fund’ means the moment you realize that @PeterObi is @BwalaDaniel’s KPI.”

Critics also questioned the real benefits Nigerians have gained from those who claimed to fight for democracy. “To those who have contributed to the struggle and are still in government, what sustainable benefit have they brought to the country?” asked @oriade_mr.

@djokaymegamixer took the criticism even further, saying, “If you judge by what is seen today under Tinubu’s presidency, there is absolutely nothing to show that Tinubu fought for democracy. A totalitarian cannot be described as a democrat.”

Still, not all voices were on Obi’s side. @interflex2004 fired back, saying, “The only involvement we could verify was that [Obi] was busy organising a 1 million solidarity match for Abacha’s brutal regime in Abuja… If Peter Obi has any iota of shame he should not talk when the issue of JUNE 12 arises.”

While some reactions turned vulgar or deeply personal, the dominant theme across platforms was frustration with what many saw as an attempt by Bwala to silence criticism of the current administration by discrediting Obi.

In the eyes of many Nigerians, Bwala’s remarks not only failed to defend President Tinubu effectively but also highlighted a growing disconnection between government officials and the people they serve.

Despite the heated exchange, Obi has not publicly responded to Bwala’s remarks. But the backlash shows that for many citizens, the fight over who has the right to speak about democracy is far from settled—and may reflect deeper frustrations with governance and representation in Nigeria today.
Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG