‘It Was All Theatrics,’ Bwala Says of Obi’s 2023 Presidential Campaign

‘It Was All Theatrics,’ Bwala Says of Obi’s 2023 Presidential Campaign

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has taken a swipe at Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, describing him as a political actor rather than a serious leader.

Bwala made the remarks during an interview on The Clarity Zone Podcast, where he accused Obi of selling what he called an unrealistic picture of leadership to his supporters before the election.

According to Bwala, Obi’s campaign relied heavily on drama and symbolism, which he said created expectations that could not be sustained after the polls.

He argued that the disappointment that followed Obi’s defeat led to frustration among his supporters.

The presidential aide said many of Obi’s followers had since resorted to attacking critics across media platforms, claiming this behaviour reflected a poor understanding of the demands and sacrifices required in leadership.

Bwala also rejected Obi’s claim that he had never visited Anambra State, insisting he was familiar with the area and could describe routes and locations connected to the former governor’s residence.

In a sarcastic remark, Bwala said he even knew the location of a mentally unstable man whom Obi once said offered him advice while he was governor of Anambra State.

The comment referred to a story Obi shared ahead of the 2023 election, in which he said a suggestion from a mentally challenged individual helped him address a security issue during his tenure.

Bwala questioned Obi’s credibility over the claim, saying his own familiarity with Anambra contradicted Obi’s assertion and further dismissed the former governor’s criticism as unfounded.