Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, has stirred debate after stating that the biggest challenges facing Nigeria today are linked more to the performance of state governors than to the actions of the federal government.
Bwala made the remarks during an online political discussion hosted by The Progressives NG, a group that promotes policy dialogue and supports the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The session, held on Sunday night under the theme “State of the Nation with Daniel Bwala,” focused on governance, economic reforms, infrastructure development and public accountability.
During the discussion, Bwala argued that the success of the current administration depends heavily on the performance of governors across the country. According to him, no matter how strong federal policies may be, meaningful progress will remain limited if state governments fail to implement their responsibilities effectively.
He stated that even if multiple presidents were brought together to run the country, it would still be difficult for Nigeria to achieve desired results if governors do not perform their duties. Bwala emphasised that with increased revenues now flowing to states, Nigerians must demand greater accountability from governors and local government chairmen who manage large portions of public resources.
The presidential adviser also addressed what he described as an imbalance in media coverage of governance issues. According to him, the media often directs most criticism toward the presidency while paying less attention to the actions and responsibilities of state governments. He argued that this trend has contributed to a situation where governors escape scrutiny despite controlling substantial public funds and administrative powers.
Bwala also defended the federal government’s approach to economic management, particularly its decision to pursue loans to fund critical infrastructure. He explained that borrowing is unavoidable for a country of Nigeria’s size and development needs, noting that government revenue alone cannot address the massive investment required across different sectors.
According to him, some of the projects being financed through borrowing, including major port expansion initiatives, are strategic investments that will generate revenue and help repay the loans over time. He added that modernising the nation’s ports is essential for strengthening trade, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.
The presidential spokesperson further highlighted ongoing efforts by the federal government to support social and health interventions. He noted that authorities are working to ensure compliance with recently announced subsidies for dialysis treatment and caesarean section procedures in order to reduce the financial burden on citizens requiring such medical services.
Bwala also touched on public reactions to a recent interview involving President Tinubu and international journalist Mehdi Hassan, arguing that many critics formed opinions based on an edited clip rather than the full context of the conversation. According to him, a significant percentage of those reacting online relied on a shortened version circulated on social media rather than the complete interview.
He added that the administration has continued to invest across multiple sectors including education, healthcare and infrastructure, stressing that governance cannot focus on a single sector while ignoring others. Instead, he said a comprehensive development approach is required to address the country’s complex economic and social challenges.
Bwala also revealed that President Tinubu has been engaging key stakeholders across the country through dialogue, including religious leaders and political representatives. He noted that during the Ramadan period the President convened meetings involving members of the National Assembly, government officials and religious leaders to deepen discussions on the implementation of state policing as part of broader security reforms.
He further claimed that the President has maintained open lines of communication with state governors, saying there is hardly any governor who has sought assistance from the federal government and not received support. According to him, this level of cooperation has contributed to growing political alignment among some state leaders who see the administration as stable and responsive.
The discussion has since generated strong reactions online, particularly Bwala’s assertion that Nigeria’s development challenges cannot be addressed without greater accountability from state governors. Analysts say the comments highlight the ongoing debate over the balance of responsibility between federal and state governments in Nigeria’s governance structure.
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