How Peter Obi Tried to Recruit Me in 2023 Presidential Race – Daniel Bwala

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has disclosed that he was approached by a top figure, Peter Obi, to join his 2023 presidential campaign—a request Bwala declined.

Speaking in an interview with On-Air Personality Daddy Freeze, Bwala recounted that the overture came through former President Olusegun Obasanjo while he was in London. According to him, despite his respect for Obasanjo, he turned down the invitation.

Bwala said the call took place while Obasanjo was at the Hilton Hotel with Datti and other political stakeholders. He recalled: “In 2023, Peter Obi asked Obasanjo, who called me while I was in London. He was at Hilton with Datti and two other stakeholders. When I picked the call, I didn’t hear him well, so I asked, ‘Who is that?’ He said, ‘My name is Obasanjo.’ And I said, ‘Daddy, sorry,’ and he said, ‘I’m calling you to come and join me.’ At that time, he was denying publicly that he was behind Peter Obi’s agenda. I declined the offer.”

Bwala added that another individual, Ambassador Amuchi Osuk, was appointed by Obi’s team to lead early campaign activities. He also addressed speculation that his decision was influenced by religious considerations, noting that critics assumed he would naturally support a Christian candidate over a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“When you leave on the grounds of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, the PDP’s candidate at the time was a Muslim. They thought I would go to a Christian candidate. When I didn’t, some Obidient supporters started criticising me,” Bwala said.

The revelation sheds light on behind-the-scenes dynamics in the 2023 presidential election and the political negotiations involving key stakeholders in Nigeria’s political landscape.