Reps Member Slams Bwala Over Comments On Wike, Rivers Politics
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Solomon Bob, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Mr. Daniel Bwala, describing him as an “attention-seeking operator” and accusing him of distorting the President’s narrative over issues relating to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Hon. Bob was reacting to comments made by Bwala during a television programme on Friday, where the presidential aide claimed that Wike had been “adequately compensated” and also suggested that the FCT Minister was interfering with the governance of Rivers State.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Port Harcourt, the lawmaker described Bwala’s remarks as “cheeky, unwarranted and stemming from premeditated bile,” arguing that they misrepresented both the President’s position and Wike’s role in the administration.
“You could see that he deliberately pivoted from the question to talk about the Minister having been adequately compensated, whatever that means,” Bob said. “He clearly does not understand the Minister’s contribution to this administration. Public office is about service delivery, not a gravy train or so-called compensation.”
Bob also faulted Bwala for downplaying Wike’s performance in the FCT by attributing it solely to the territory’s exit from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
“Exiting the TSA was itself the Minister’s ingenious idea,” he said. “The President’s approval of that move underscores his confidence in Wike’s ability to deliver. That confidence is rooted in Wike’s proven record as Rivers State governor, for which even former President Muhammadu Buhari honoured him, despite their political differences.”
The lawmaker further condemned Bwala’s insinuation that Wike was obstructing Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from governing, describing it as a sign of poor judgment.
“Such comments are classic implication framing from a confused individual who dabbles into matters beyond his competence and job description,” Bob stated.
According to him, Bwala often diminishes his office by projecting personal opinions as official presidential positions.
“He was not speaking for the President,” Bob said. “The President understands who bears responsibility for the situation in Rivers State. Mr. Bwala does not speak for the President; that is not his remit, and he is far down the pecking order of presidential spokesmen.”
Hon. Bob, who chairs the House Committee on Capital Market and Institutions and represents Abua/Odual and Ahoada East Federal Constituency, suggested that Bwala’s outburst may be linked to lingering bitterness over the defeat of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election.
“Mr. Bwala spoke out of turn because Minister Wike politically outmaneuvered Atiku Abubakar, who was his former principal before he jumped ship,” he said.
The lawmaker advised Bwala to “know his level” and exercise humility, adding that “despite his pretensions, he has not convinced many Nigerians that he possesses the capacity required for the office he currently occupies.”
