Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy, has described Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as a “failed politician” who lacks an understanding of democracy.
Bwala’s remarks came in response to a statement made by Obi during a colloquium held in Abuja on Monday to mark the 60th birthday of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha. At the event, Obi expressed concerns that Nigeria’s democracy had collapsed, noting that the progress made since the country’s return to civilian rule in 1999 had been undone.
However, Bwala disagreed with Obi’s claims and took to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday to criticize the former Anambra State governor. He stated that Obi had no background in democratic activism and questioned his authority to speak on the state of Nigeria’s democracy.
“It is funny how failed politicians are trying to redefine democracy. @PeterObi said democracy has collapsed.
“Does he even know the meaning of democracy?
“When people were fighting for democracy, Gregory was buying and selling.
“He doesn’t have a history of any democratic activism from his school days to date.
“His expertise lies in instigating hate speech and vitriol.
“Talk is cheap,” Bwala wrote.
Obi, who served as governor of Anambra State, has been vocal about governance and economic issues in Nigeria. Since his presidential bid under the Labour Party, he has gained significant support from young Nigerians who see him as a change-driven leader.
