I Don’t Engage in Transactional Politics, Never Asked Bwala to Join My Campaign — Peter Obi

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has dismissed allegations 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 unworthy of a response, stating that he had no political dealings with Bwala and does not engage in what he termed “transactional politics.”

The former governor of Anambra State made the clarification in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday through his media aide, Ibrahim Umar, amid ongoing exchanges among political actors over events surrounding the 2023 general election.

The statement read, “Normally, we would not dignify Bwala’s baseless accusations with a reply, given his well-documented history of dishonesty.

“However, we feel it is necessary to address this matter for the benefit of the public, who may be misled.

“Obi has made it clear that he excludes individuals like Bwala from his political activities and any form of transactional politics that sustain people like him in political circles.

“The Obi that Nigerians know and appreciate will never engage in such practices. He would rather allocate resources to provide desks for children in Bwala’s village than pay him to concoct falsehoods for public consumption.

“Obi’s approach is rooted in the pursuit of good governance and the creation of a better society for all. He does not pay people to promote a cause; instead, he invites them to join him in believing in a shared vision.

“For the umpteenth time, we call on Bwala and others like him to count Obi out of their greed, repent, and join us in the quest for a new Nigeria.”

The response followed claims by Bwala that Obi had tried to enlist him in the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign.

Speaking in an interview with media personality Daddy Freeze, Bwala alleged that the request was relayed through former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a meeting in London.

According to him, the conversation took place while Obasanjo was staying at the Hilton Hotel alongside Obi’s running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, and other political stakeholders.

Bwala said that despite his respect for Obasanjo, he declined the request. He also claimed that Ambassador Amuchi Osukhad been appointed by Obi’s team to coordinate early campaign activities.

The presidential aide further addressed speculation about his political position at the time, noting that some critics believed he would naturally support a Christian candidate rather than the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The exchange adds to the ongoing political back-and-forth between figures aligned with the current administration and opposition actors following the 2023 elections.