President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has described the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, as a “miracle centre presidential candidate.”
Bwala made the remark while reacting to Obi’s recent interview, in which the former Anambra State governor outlined the condition under which he would agree to a debate with the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
Speaking during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Obi said he would only debate Umahi after the minister officially emerges as the presidential candidate of a political party.
His comment came in response to Umahi’s earlier statement expressing readiness to engage Obi in a public debate over the Federal Government’s road infrastructure projects.
Reacting in a post on X, Bwala questioned Obi’s own emergence as a presidential candidate, alleging that he did not pass through the process of a party primary before contesting for the presidency.
Bwala wrote: “Peter Obi is telling Chude on his podcast that if H.E Dave Umah wants to debate him, he should first qualify as a presidential candidate first.
“Funny; the Peter Obi @PeterObi how did he qualify to be a presidential candidate? Did he (Peter Obi) participate in any presidential primaries?
“In fact has he ever participated in any presidential primaries? Imagine a miracle centre presidential candidate questioning a successful governor and performing minister on qualifications.”
BACKSTORY:
The latest exchange is part of the growing war of words between key figures in the administration of President Bola Tinubu and opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections. Political debates over governance, infrastructure, the economy and electoral legitimacy have intensified in recent months, with members of the presidency and leading opposition figures frequently trading criticisms through interviews and social media.
The disagreement follows an earlier challenge by Minister of Works David Umahi, who expressed readiness to publicly debate Peter Obi over the Federal Government’s road infrastructure projects. Obi, however, responded that he would only engage Umahi in such a debate after the minister becomes the presidential candidate of a political party, a remark that drew a sharp reaction from Daniel Bwala.
