The lawmaker representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has voiced concerns over Daniel Bwala, a former aide to Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, suggesting that Bwala could be a political liability to President Bola Tinubu.
Bwala, who distanced himself from Atiku after Tinubu’s victory in the recent election, has been making efforts to align himself with the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite previously distancing himself from the party over its Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Senator Ndume criticized Bwala, indicating that his recent actions raise questions about his loyalty and political utility.
Bwala’s departure from Atiku’s camp and subsequent attempts to integrate into the APC have drawn scrutiny, especially given his previous critiques of Tinubu’s policies.
The tension between Ndume and Bwala escalated when Bwala accused Ndume of planning to mobilize youths to attack him in his local government area, Hawul, part of Ndume’s constituency.
Ndume responded to these allegations during a press briefing at his Maiduguri residence, expressing regret over Bwala’s claims and questioning Bwala’s connections to Hawul, suggesting that Bwala cannot trace his actual roots or connect with the local people there.
He said, “The only advice I can give President Tinubu is that, politically Daniel Bwala is just a Mad Dog who barks and bites even the owner, and so, Tinubu should be careful with the likes of Bwala.
“Bwala was once a member of the APC, but later ran away shamelessly and joined the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, where he started using all sorts of abusive and insulting words against Tinubu on Live television. Bwala can only be useful in attacking people, but the 2027 general elections are coming; all I can advise is for Bwala to come to Borno and trace his roots.
“Ordinarily, I did not want to join issues with him. I wouldn’t have replied to Mr Bwala because I believe Bwala’s strategy is how to get the attention and sympathy of Mr President to give him Police cover and maybe a job.
“I can describe Daniel Bwala as a failed Lawyer and empty drum making noise in Abuja. As I said, I did not want to respond, but because Bwala talked about threats or I am mobilizing Youths to attack him, which has security implications, is very sensitive.
“We have credible people in the Hawul local government area, and they know who Daniel Bwala is, in fact when I saw his message on X handle, I thought it was Inuwa Bwala, who was the former Caretaker Chairman of Hawul and a renowned journalist. I quickly drew his attention to it, which he said, he was not the one.
“Later, I was made to understand that it is Daniel Bwala who has no political relevance as far as Southern Borno is concerned.
“In fact, I replied to his post and said, if accusing and abusing me on Twitter or pages of Newspapers would fetch him something from Tinubu to survive after being a failed lawyer in Abuja, I would be happy for him.
“We have three former Deputy Governors from Hawul, and all of them are my ardent supporters and people I took in high esteem throughout my political surgeon. Bwala wants to portray the peace-loving youths as violent people. You can’t instigate Hawul people to go into political violence, because is not in their character. All I can say is that Bwala is trying to get sympathy from Mr. President.”
The senator also emphasized that the interview he granted on Arise TV did not accuse or insult President Tinubu, but only criticized some policies, which are counterproductive to average Nigerians.
