Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has pushed back against claims that the President is attempting to impose a one-party system in Nigeria.
Bwala’s remarks come in response to allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which blames Tinubu for the recent wave of defections weakening the opposition.
The party has lost two sitting governors and several top officials to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Arise Television, Bwala dismissed the accusations as baseless. He maintained that the PDP’s internal troubles began long before Tinubu’s emergence as APC’s presidential candidate and argued that the President cannot be held responsible for a party in crisis.
He also recalled how, during the PDP’s dominance, Tinubu’s political platform controlled just one state, yet he quietly reorganised and strengthened the party instead of blaming anyone.
“There was a time in the South-West when the party Tinubu led was reduced to a single state,” Bwala said.
“He didn’t complain or blame anyone. He rebuilt the party patiently and strategically.”
Bwala further described the PDP as a party without direction, noting that it currently lacks a clear national leader.
He likened the party to a sinking ship and insisted that those defecting to the APC are doing so by choice, not coercion.
“Nigeria operates a multi-party democracy, but not all parties are strong,” he said.
“The PDP is in disarray today not because of the President, but due to long-standing internal issues. The President has every right to receive those who choose to join the APC.”
He emphasized that freedom of association is a constitutional right and added that no one can be stopped from joining a party they believe in.
According to Bwala, “Welcoming new members into the APC should not be misconstrued as plotting the downfall of other parties. It’s a political choice, and President Tinubu is simply exercising his right as a party leader.”
He concluded by urging opposition parties to take responsibility for their challenges rather than shifting blame to the Presidency.