PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has taken a swipe at Presidential Adviser on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, over his recent prediction that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar would finish fourth in the 2027 presidential election.
Eze described Bwala’s remarks as politically motivated and lacking credibility, arguing that the presidential aide had dramatically reversed his position on Atiku after joining the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement made available to journalists, Eze said he watched with “disbelief and amusement” as Bwala dismissed the electoral prospects of Atiku, who is expected to fly the flag of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the next presidential election.
According to him, Bwala’s comments are difficult to reconcile with the role he played during the 2023 presidential campaign when he served as one of Atiku’s most vocal media defenders and spokespersons.
Eze recalled that Bwala consistently presented Atiku as the most qualified candidate to lead Nigeria, describing him at the time as a competent, experienced and prepared leader capable of addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.
“The question Nigerians should ask is simple: What exactly has changed?” Eze stated.
“Has Atiku suddenly become less competent, less experienced or less patriotic? The answer is no. What has changed is Daniel Bwala’s political alignment.”
The ADC stalwart alleged that Bwala abandoned the political ideals he once championed after accepting an appointment in the Tinubu administration, describing him as a politician driven more by personal convenience than by conviction.
He said the presidential aide’s latest criticism of Atiku appeared aimed at pleasing his current political associates rather than offering objective political analysis.
Eze further argued that Bwala should focus on communicating the achievements and policies of the Federal Government rather than engaging in political predictions about an election that is still years away.
He maintained that Nigerians are more concerned about rising inflation, economic hardship, unemployment and insecurity than partisan rhetoric from government officials.
“Rather than forecasting election results, Nigerians expect presidential spokesmen to explain why millions of citizens continue to grapple with hunger, why businesses are struggling and why insecurity remains a major national concern,” he said.
Eze also warned against underestimating the growing coalition of opposition forces and Nigerians seeking political change, stressing that the outcome of the 2027 election would ultimately be determined by voters and not by political appointees.
He noted that Atiku’s political influence, national reach and support base remain significant, insisting that attempts to diminish his relevance contradict the positions Bwala publicly advanced only a few years ago.
The former nPDP spokesman urged Nigerians to view Bwala’s comments with caution, describing them as partisan opinions rather than an accurate assessment of the country’s political landscape.
According to him, political appointments are temporary, but public records remain permanent.
“Nigerians have not forgotten what Daniel Bwala said about Atiku yesterday, and they will not be easily persuaded by what he says about him today,” Eze stated.
He concluded by warning that credibility, once lost through political opportunism, is often difficult to regain, regardless of the offices one occupies.
