Bear in mind him? The enigmatic Daniel Bwala, the place artwork thou? It’s been some time since we’ve seen the firebrand spokesperson in his typical parts, waxing lyrical in regards to the virtues of his principal. However, alas, these had been the times when he was the symbolism of the previous President Atiku Abubakar marketing campaign. His razor-sharp tongue through the marketing campaign to cease Senator Bola Tinubu from turning into President was unassailable. Then the desk turned. In the course of the transition months, Bwala skilled an epiphany. Just like the biblical Saul, a persecutor of Christians, Bwala, had a profound conversion expertise, and just like Saul who on his journey to Damascus turned the Apostle Paul, Daniel’s eyes had been opened to see Tinubu because the messiah Nigerians had been ready for.
This sort of transition was not merely a change of employer however a strategic alignment with a distinct political ideology and imaginative and prescient for Nigeria, as a result of Bwala’s outspoken criticism of Tinubu was each insipid and pernicious. He questioned Tinubu’s {qualifications} and integrity, significantly highlighting allegations of drug trafficking and corruption. Bwala himself has recanted, saying his criticisms of Tinubu had been a part of his position with Atiku and that he stays dedicated to whoever he works for. His latest statements defending Tinubu’s insurance policies and administration mirror a whole 180-degree shift from his earlier stance.
Prefer it or detest the fashion, Bwala’s journey is emblematic of the psychological and political complexities confronted by many politicians. His means to navigate these shifts speaks to his adaptability and resilience – politics Nigeriana! Daniel Bwala’s trajectory, by the way in which, is a tangled internet of alliances, perceived betrayals, and romanticized politics. As soon as a staunch ally of Bola Tinubu, Bwala’s defection to the opposition camp and his subsequent wild romance with Atiku Abubakar raised eyebrows. However, because the saying goes, “politics makes unusual bedfellows.”
This example turned evident quickly after his appointment as Particular Adviser by Tinubu and Bwala declared himself because the official spokesperson for the Presidency. Bayo Onanuga, the Particular Adviser on Data and Technique, moved swiftly to make clear that Bwala is merely one in every of three Particular Advisers collectively serving as spokespersons for the federal government.
However, because the saying goes, “what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.” Or is it? Bwala, in any case, had no qualms about sharing the highlight with different spokespersons through the Atiku Abubakar marketing campaign. So, why the sudden discomfort with the association within the Presidency?
Daniel Bwala’s spectacular rhetoric, sartorial affect, and excellent attain have undoubtedly made him a prolific determine in Nigeria’s political panorama. Nonetheless, being a profitable political PR supervisor entails rather more than simply being articulate and charismatic. Ask Amanda Loveday, who has labored with politicians and campaigns to develop efficient communication methods or Mark McKinnon, one other seasoned political strategist who has labored with quite a few high-profile politicians, together with George W. Bush and John McCain and even David Axelrod, a famend political strategist who has labored with politicians equivalent to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. These people exhibit the significance of strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and integrity in efficient political PR administration. In distinction, Bwala’s strategy, whereas efficient in sure contexts, particularly as an assault canine, might not be adequate for the calls for of governance.
Efficient political PR managers possess a variety of abilities, together with strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and disaster administration. In distinction, Bwala’s acerbic feedback, whereas doubtlessly an asset in Nigeria’s political enviornment, is usually a legal responsibility in governance. Governance requires a extra nuanced strategy to communication, one which prioritises constructing bridges over burning them.
As we watch the drama unfold, we will’t assist however surprise: What occurs to the beliefs and convictions that after drove these people? Do they grow to be mere casualties of the political recreation, sacrificed on the altar of expediency?
And so, we’re left with extra questions than solutions. What’s the true value of this ruthless pursuit of energy? How can we belief those that so readily abandon their ideas for the sake of political expediency? Is that this the type of management we actually want, or is it merely a façade that we’ve grown accustomed to?
As Rueben Abati as soon as quipped, Aso Rock is usually a mysterious place, with spirits that may eclipse even the brightest stars. Has Bwala fallen sufferer to those forces?
We demand to know: what position does he play throughout the trinity of Bayo Onanuga, Sunday Dare, and himself? The silence is deafening, and one thing should be amiss to have dimmed the flicker of this media glitz.
Somorin, writes from Abeokuta, Ogun State
