Bwala faults Mehdi Hassan interview, alleges fake quotes from groups
…says many citations during Head to Head interview inaccurate … Reaffirms readiness to defend Tinubu administration anywhere Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has
...says many citations during Head to Head interview inaccurate
... Reaffirms readiness to defend Tinubu administration anywhere
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has alleged that several quotations attributed to organisations and groups during his recent interview with international journalist Mehdi Hassan were inaccurate or outright fabricated.
Bwala made the claim in a statement on Saturday while responding to reactions that have trailed the interview on the “Head to Head” programme.
According to him, a careful review of the interview would reveal that many of the statements Hassan cited as coming from organisations or groups were either misrepresented or completely false.
“I refused to swallow the pill of Mehdi’s opposition research-style journalism, and even today, if you carefully compare what he read as quotes from organisations and groups, you will see that many were inaccurate and some were outright fake news,” Bwala said.
The presidential aide noted that social media had been awash with reactions over the interview in the last 24 hours but insisted he remained committed to defending the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wherever the opportunity arises.
He said that when he accepted the role given to him by the President, he was fully aware of the demands of the job and was prepared to face any level of scrutiny.
“When I signed on to the privileged job granted to me by Mr. President, I was well aware of its implications. Selling ice cream, looking fine, and seeking the praises of men were never part of it,” he stated.
Bwala added that he would never avoid interviews concerning the defence and promotion of the Tinubu administration’s policies and programmes.
“I am prepared to appear before any interviewer, anywhere in the world, any day and at any time, to defend this government and its policies,” he said.
He also criticised the approach taken by the interview programme, claiming that the producers did not inform him beforehand that the discussion would include questions about his past political statements.
According to him, the programme initially indicated that the interview would focus on issues relating to security, the economy and corruption.
Bwala further dismissed criticism from political opponents, describing many of the reactions as coming largely from opposition figures and their sympathisers.
He argued that the opposition lacked a clear vision or alternative programme for governing Nigeria.
“The majority of the naysayers are members of the opposition and their sympathisers. Their temporary excitement over the interview will not last because it does not take away their obvious problem of lack of vision,” he said.
Despite his criticisms, Bwala expressed respect for Hassan, describing him as “arguably the best debater on the planet,” and indicated willingness to participate in a follow-up session of the programme.
He said he looked forward to a second part of the interview where discussions could focus more on the policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration.
