Jesutega Onokpasa, a key member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a strong loyalist to President Tinubu has openly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Daniel Bwala as his Special Adviser on Media and Communications.
Onokpasa described the move as a betrayal of the president’s loyal supporters and questioned the wisdom behind such a decision.
In a video message that has since gone viral, Onokpasa expressed his displeasure, emphasizing that Bwala, during the election campaign, was one of Tinubu’s most vocal critics. According to Onokpasa, the appointment of Bwala sends a discouraging signal to those who stood by Tinubu during challenging times.
Onokpasa, expressed frustration over the president’s choice to sideline his staunch allies, including Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and Governor Yahaya Bello, in favor of individuals like Bwala, whom he accused of insulting Tinubu and his supporters during the election.
“My president, I am so angry with you,” Onokpasa began in the video. “This is not how to treat people who stood by you. We were there in the trenches, while Bwala was busy calling you names and attacking us. How could you reward such a person?”
The APC chieftain did not hold back in his assessment of Bwala, recalling specific allegations that the new appointee had referred to Tinubu in derogatory terms, including calling him a dr-g dealer during the campaigns. He argued that such an individual lacks the credibility to hold a strategic position in Tinubu’s administration.
“Our supporters despise this man. He insulted all of us, and now you’ve placed him in such a critical role. This is a betrayal of the highest order,” Onokpasa declared.
Onokpasa’s frustration extended beyond Bwala’s appointment to the broader issue of rewarding loyalty within the APC. He noted that many of Tinubu’s allies, who worked tirelessly to secure his victory, have been overlooked in the distribution of key positions.
“Academic and political excellence should be recognized. People like El-Rufai and Yahaya Bello have been abandoned. This is not about me—I don’t need any appointment—but this is about respecting those who worked for your success,” he said.
Despite his criticism, Onokpasa reaffirmed his support for Tinubu, describing himself as a devoted “BATist” but warned against alienating the president’s base of loyal supporters.
“If anyone says I am not a BATist, may God punish them. But this decision is heartbreaking,” he said.
The appointment of Daniel Bwala has sparked a heated debate within the APC. While some have applauded the decision as a step toward inclusivity and reconciliation, others, like Onokpasa, view it as an affront to loyalty and dedication. GWG.ng reports that as at the time of publishing this report, the presidency is yet to release any official statement in response to the allegation.
