NIGERIA: Daniel Bwala Clashes With Rufai Oseni Over Political U-Turn

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

Presidential aide Daniel Bwala found himself in a heated exchange with Arise Television anchor Rufai Oseni during a live interview on Tuesday after being questioned about his decision to serve in the Bola Tinubu administration despite his previous criticism of the government.

Oseni pressed Bwala on his political shift, asking why he had chosen to align with an administration he once vehemently opposed. An irritated Bwala fired back, saying, “Don’t ask me questions like I’m a secondary student.”

As Oseni continued to probe, suggesting that Bwala’s move was driven by political convenience, the presidential aide defended his decision, stating that governance was about impact, not rigid ideologies.

“My decision to serve is based on national interest, not personal gain. People evolve, perspectives change, and governance is about making an impact,” Bwala asserted.

The confrontation quickly sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians divided over who was in the right.

Some users applauded Oseni’s tough questioning, while others criticized him for being confrontational rather than professional.

An X user, Mezie Abia (@MezieAbi), condemned Bwala’s perceived inconsistency, likening him to political figures such as Reno Omokri and Femi Fani-Kayode, who have previously switched allegiances.

“Daniel Bwala is a shameless man who speaks from both sides of the mouth… He called Tinubu unprintable names, but today, he’s shamelessly defending him,” Abia wrote.

However, some users came to Bwala’s defense, arguing that political evolution is natural. Olanrewaju Michael (@iwologbon) suggested that Oseni’s approach was unnecessarily hostile.

“The same person he criticised found him worthy of appointment, why make it sound like it’s a death sentence? There are more pressing issues to discuss.”

Others, like Sola Ogunlola (@sola_ogunlola), countered that politicians should be held accountable.

“Not every journalist can be a slave to politicians. Any public office holder that can’t be squeezed is not ready to serve” he said.

The fiery exchange highlights the growing tension between public officials and journalists in Nigeria, with debates continuing over the role of the media in holding leaders accountable versus the need for balanced reporting.