Daniel Bwala, a presidential aide, clashed with Arise Television anchor Rufai Oseni during a live interview on Tuesday after being questioned about his decision to join the government of President Bola Tinubu, despite his previous vocal criticisms.
Oseni asked Bwala why he chose to support the administration he once openly criticized, to which Bwala responded sharply, “Don’t ask me questions like I’m a secondary student.”
The exchange grew tense as Oseni continued to probe whether Bwala’s decision was politically motivated, suggesting it might be a matter of convenience.
Bwala, however, stood his ground, explaining that his decision was rooted in national interest and not personal gain.
“My service is based on conviction and a desire to contribute meaningfully. People evolve, perspectives change, and governance is about making an impact,” he said.
The confrontation quickly sparked debate on social media. Some users supported Oseni’s questioning, while others criticized Bwala’s dismissive response.
On X (formerly Twitter), @MezieAbi, Mezie Abia, expressed disdain for Bwala’s stance, writing, “Daniel Bwala is a shameless man who speaks from both sides of the mouth. He’s in the same league as Reno Omokri and Femi Kayode, who will praise the devil for a few crumbs.”
Abia went on to highlight Bwala’s previous strong criticisms of Tinubu, contrasting them with his current defense of the president. “Yesterday, Bwala called Tinubu unprintable names, and today, he defends everything he said,” he remarked.
Another user, Akereyejo (@Palermo_seun), directed criticism at Oseni, advising him to maintain professionalism. “As a journalist, you should be objective in your questioning. The goal is to inform, but Oseni’s interviews seem more about entertainment than gathering useful information,” he tweeted.
Others, like Sola Ogunlola (@sola_ogunlola), stressed the need for journalists to stand firm and hold public officials accountable, saying, “Any public officeholder who can’t be challenged isn’t ready to serve.”
Meanwhile, AnzehAjose (@anzehnangah) criticized Bwala’s lack of consistency, suggesting that his change in stance reflected a lack of principles. “Bwala had no conviction when he criticized Tinubu, and he has no conviction now,” the user stated.
Olanrewaju Michael (@iwologbon) suggested that the issue wasn’t as significant as Oseni made it seem, questioning why Bwala’s appointment should be treated as a scandal. “There are more important issues to discuss. Rufai can do better,” he commented.
