Abuja — A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Solomon Bob, has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Mr. Daniel Bwala, accusing him of misrepresenting facts and pushing what he described as a “maliciously distorted narrative” against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Bob was reacting to comments allegedly made by Bwala during a television programme on Friday, where the presidential aide reportedly claimed that Wike had been “adequately compensated” and suggested that the former Rivers State governor was interfering in the administration of the current governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the lawmaker described Bwala’s remarks as “cheeky, unwarranted and driven by premeditated bile,” arguing that they reflected a poor understanding of governance and the workings of the Tinubu administration.
“You could see that he deliberately dodged the question to talk about the Minister having been ‘adequately compensated,’ whatever that means,” Bob said. “That mindset portrays public office as a gravy train, whereas governance is about service delivery, not compensation.”
Bob rejected any attempt to downplay Wike’s performance as FCT minister, insisting that the achievements recorded under his leadership were the result of competence and innovation.
“He reduced the Minister’s widely acknowledged performance in the FCT to merely exiting the TSA,” Bob stated. “Exiting the TSA itself was Wike’s idea, and the President’s approval underscores the confidence he has in the Minister—confidence built on Wike’s track record as Rivers governor, which even former President Muhammadu Buhari publicly recognised.”
The lawmaker also faulted Bwala for allegedly implying that Wike was obstructing governance in Rivers State, describing the claim as reckless and unfounded.
“By that implication, Mr. Bwala showed a clear lack of judgment,” Bob said. “It is classic implication framing from someone venturing far beyond his competence and job description.”
Bob, who chairs the House Committee on Capital Market and Institutions, further accused the presidential aide of personalising official communication and projecting his personal views as those of the President.
“He diminishes his office by injecting personal biases into public discourse and attributing them to the President,” he said. “Mr. Bwala does not speak for the President and is far down the hierarchy of presidential spokespersons.”
The Rivers lawmaker suggested that Bwala’s comments may be influenced by unresolved political grievances stemming from the 2023 presidential election.
“Perhaps he is still nursing bitterness over Atiku Abubakar’s defeat,” Bob added. “Minister Wike politically outmanoeuvred his former principal, and that may explain his outburst.”
Bob advised the presidential aide to exercise restraint and humility, stressing that public communication from the Presidency must reflect discipline, objectivity and respect for institutional boundaries.
“Mr. Bwala should know his level and be grateful for the opportunity he has,” he said, adding that “many Nigerians remain unconvinced that he has the capacity required for that role.”
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