Activist Aisha Yesufu has dismissed presidential media adviser Daniel Bwala, stating that she does not consider him worth engaging in political debate. According to her, “there’s no right-thinking Nigerian” who should waste energy on him.
Refusal to Engage
Yesufu made the statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, May 7, where she responded to recent remarks made by Bwala against opposition figures. She declared that she has no intention of engaging directly with him, and instead suggested that he would be better handled by Mehdi Hasan, referencing the tough interview he conducted with Bwala on Al Jazeera in March 2026.
As she put it: “I’m really not going to focus on that. I heard him call my name. I think I will leave him with Mehdi Hasan. That’s someone who knows how to deal with people like Daniel Bwala.”
Bwala's Past Criticism
During that interview on Head to Head, Bwala was confronted with old video clips showing him criticising President Bola Tinubu before later joining his administration as a defender of the “Renewed Hope” agenda. Yesufu used the opportunity to defend Labour Party figure Peter Obi, opining that staying in opposition should not be seen as a weakness in politics.
She pointed out that even President Bola Tinubu spent many years in opposition before eventually becoming president in 2023. The activist referenced his past political movements across different parties, including his time in the Alliance for Democracy and Action Congress before the formation of the All Progressives Congress.
“Even the Mr. Tinubu that he talked about, he has been in opposition. When I remember, there’s a particular piece they’re very fond of bringing out when I said he’s the father of opposition,” she said.
Focus on Governance
However, she pointed out that her main concern is governance issues, not political spokespersons or media arguments. She said she would rather focus on discussions that help Nigeria move forward than respond to Bwala’s comments.
“I’m not going to waste my time discussing anything that Daniel Bwala says. Nobody thinks Daniel Bwala is serious,” she said.
Aisha Yesufu Joins NDC, Runs for Senate
Previously, it was reported that activist Aisha Yesufu resigned from the African Democratic Congress and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 elections. Yesufu said her decision aligns with her support for Peter Obi’s leadership vision, adding that she had completed all obligations with ADC before making a clean transition into the new political platform. She also confirmed her readiness to contest the FCT Senate race under the NDC.
Bwala Responds to Al Jazeera Backlash
Presidential aide Daniel Bwala has reacted to the backlash following his interview on Al Jazeera. He stated that critics are mostly opposition figures without clear policy alternatives for Nigerians. Bwala, who said he was not the only former critic now serving in government, added that similar political shifts exist globally. The aide insisted that his past positions do not undermine his current role in defending government policies.
