Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser on Policy and Communications to President Bola Tinubu, launched a fierce verbal attack on Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South on Sunday, describing him as “a baby and a toddler.”
During an appearance on Sunday Politics, a programme on Channels Television, Bwala accused Ndume of intimidating those who speak against him and claimed the senator often resorts to threats when challenged.
This came in response to Ndume’s recent criticism of President Tinubu, where he accused the President of making lopsided appointments and neglecting the principle of federal character in governance. Ndume had also warned that allies of the President might come after him for his outspoken comments.
But Bwala dismissed those concerns, saying: “I doubt if Tinubu knows about the activities of Ndume; you see, he cries like a baby, a toddler.”
He further elaborated, “On meeting the President, there’s an established protocol. The National Assembly leadership said appointments must be scheduled through them.”
According to Bwala, Ndume often bypasses these procedures, calling different presidential aides daily. “He is supposed to be an elder statesman, but behaves otherwise. He even used offensive language during his appearance here,” Bwala said.
He also alleged that speaking out against Ndume often invites backlash. “The last time I called him out, I received death threats. He’s known for making those kinds of threats,” Bwala claimed.
Bwala went on to describe Ndume as someone who “thrives in crisis,” comparing his influence in Nigeria’s “crisis economy” to what business moguls like Dangote and Otedola represent in the private sector.
“He brags, saying, ‘I have boys and I can do that’—that’s his style. And let’s not forget, the public perception of Ndume has long been clouded by alleged links to Boko Haram,” Bwala concluded.