The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has rejected claims by Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that he attempted to recruit him into his 2023 presidential campaign.
Obi described the allegation as baseless and not deserving of a response, stressing that he had no political relationship with Bwala and does not participate in what he called “transactional politics.”
The former Anambra State governor clarified his position in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday through his media aide, Ibrahim Umar. The response followed renewed exchanges among political figures over events linked to the 2023 general election.
The statement said Obi ordinarily would not respond to Bwala’s claims but decided to clarify the matter to prevent the public from being misled.
According to the statement, Obi does not involve individuals like Bwala in his political engagements and distances himself from practices that promote transactional politics.
It added that Obi would rather invest resources in community development, such as providing school desks for children in Bwala’s village, than pay individuals to spread false narratives.
The statement further noted that Obi’s political philosophy focuses on good governance and building a better society, insisting that he invites supporters to share his vision rather than paying them to promote it.
It also urged Bwala and others to stop linking Obi to their political interests and instead join efforts toward building a better Nigeria.
The reaction came after Bwala alleged that Obi attempted to bring him into the Labour Party’s 2023 campaign.
Speaking during an interview with media personality Daddy Freeze, Bwala claimed the request was conveyed through former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a meeting in London.
According to him, the discussion occurred while Obasanjo was staying at the Hilton Hotel with Obi’s running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, and other political associates.
Bwala said he declined the request despite his respect for Obasanjo. He also claimed that Ambassador Amuchi Osukha had been appointed by Obi’s camp to coordinate early campaign activities.
He further addressed speculation about his political alignment at the time, noting that some people expected him to support a Christian candidate rather than the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The exchange highlights the continuing political disputes between figures linked to the current administration and opposition actors following the 2023 elections.
