Bwala’s Appointment a Moral Aberration, Says HURIWA

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint Daniel Bwala, a former campaign spokesman for Atiku Abubakar, as Special Adviser on Public Communication and Media. In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA argued that Bwala’s appointment is a futile effort, asserting that his past criticisms of Tinubu undermine his credibility to effectively communicate the administration’s achievements.

HURIWA expressed skepticism about the ability of the media and the public to trust Bwala, given his history of harshly criticizing Tinubu during the 2023 presidential campaign. “The media of mass communication wouldn’t even take any of his words as believable because of his notoriety in absolutely rubbishing the credentials, integrity, and credibility of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement read.

The group also condemned Tinubu for retaining Mojisolaoluwa Alli-Macaulay as Executive Director of Operations at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), despite allegations of misconduct during her tenure as a Lagos lawmaker. Alli-Macaulay faced widespread accusations of diverting COVID-19 palliatives meant for Lagosians, which HURIWA described as a troubling precedent for governance. The association emphasized that the NSITF has faced numerous corruption scandals, including a N1 billion fraud case involving former board chairperson Ngozi Olejeme.

HURIWA accused Tinubu of promoting individuals with unresolved allegations and lamented what it described as “executive lawlessness.” The group questioned why individuals with alleged records of impropriety were being given high-profile appointments, asserting that such decisions erode the moral fabric of governance.

On Bwala’s appointment, HURIWA expressed dismay over what it perceived as a lack of regard for public opinion. “How does President Tinubu expect any sane Nigerian to believe any communication out of the mouth of Daniel Bwala?” the group asked, referencing Bwala’s past remarks branding Tinubu as linked to drug trafficking during the campaign season. HURIWA argued that appointing someone who once made such serious allegations undermines the office’s integrity and public trust.

The association called on Tinubu to prioritize ethics and morality in his appointments, warning that dismissing public perception could harm his administration’s credibility. “Imagine the same person who made sensational allegations against the president now becoming the spokesman for the same president. This is a moral aberration,” the statement concluded, adding that Bwala could have been offered a less sensitive role, such as a legal consultancy, rather than a position tied to public trust and communication.