Why Daniel Bwala Was Replaced As Tinubu’s Official Spokesman After Just One Day

Why Daniel Bwala Was Replaced As Tinubu’s Official Spokesman After Just One DayDaniel Bwala’s recent appointment as Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu was quickly overshadowed by a series of clarifications from Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. Onanuga issued a statement redefining Bwala’s role and the structure of the presidential media team. According to Onanuga, Bwala was re-designated as Special Adviser on Policy Communication, with a clear indication that he would operate outside the central media operations at the presidential villa.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This restructuring, finalized on November 18, came just days after Bwala’s initial appointment on November 14, sparking speculation about the leadership dynamics within Tinubu’s media team, especially following the exit of former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in September.

In the wake of Bwala’s announcement, Onanuga had continued to handle press duties on behalf of the president, raising questions about the coordination and hierarchy of the president’s media apparatus. Reports suggested that Bwala, eager to step into his new role, had planned to assume control in Onanuga’s absence while the latter was accompanying the president in Brazil for the G20 summit. This led to an unscheduled move by Bwala to address State House correspondents, which caught many off guard.

During the briefing, Bwala addressed the media, attempting to clarify the change in nomenclature and responsibilities, noting that the role of Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication had previously been held by Ngelale. He also referred to Sunday Dare, who now holds a separate role in the Ministry of Information.

However, in Brazil, President Tinubu was reportedly angered by Bwala’s actions and immediately instructed Onanuga to issue a formal clarification. Onanuga’s statement explained the restructuring in more detail, emphasizing that there would no longer be a single spokesperson for the presidency. Instead, three Special Advisers—Onanuga, Dare, and Bwala—would collectively serve as the government’s communication team.

The changes seemed part of a broader effort by Tinubu to manage his extensive media team, which insiders describe as the largest in Nigeria’s history. However, the intrigue surrounding the appointments points to deeper power struggles within the president’s inner circle. Dele Alake, who had been positioned to lead the media team, was replaced by Ajuri Ngelale in a move reportedly orchestrated by Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son, who is said to have significant influence over appointments.

Seyi Tinubu is also believed to have played a key role in Bwala’s selection, with reports indicating that he wanted a more aggressive, media-savvy spokesperson who would be highly visible in public and confront critics of the president. However, Bwala’s brief tenure as the president’s media representative lasted less than a day, and indications now suggest he will focus on policy communication, working under the direction of Hadiza Bala Usman, rather than as the face of the presidency.

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