President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, has suggested that Atiku Abubakar, the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), might soon throw his weight behind Tinubu’s administration.

Speaking on TVC’s Journalists Hangout, Bwala addressed the wave of defections hitting the PDP. He criticized the party for lacking clear leadership and direction, saying no right-thinking person would choose to remain in a party that seems lost and disorganized.

Bwala explained that the responsibility to prevent Nigeria from becoming a one-party state lies with the opposition, not the ruling party. According to him, the APC has every right to expand its base and attract more people. If opposition parties fail to present strong alternatives, they shouldn’t blame others for their internal problems.

He likened the current situation to people naturally moving towards a better environment. “If your house is in shambles, don’t blame your neighbor for having a well-kept one,” he said. He noted that even governors protected by the constitution are defecting because aligning with the federal government puts them in a better position to serve their people effectively.

Bwala also pointed out that Tinubu deserves more credit for his inclusive style of leadership. He mentioned that Tinubu is not limiting his governance to just members of his party but is engaging people across the board, regardless of political affiliation.

Wrapping up, Bwala didn’t mince words. He claimed joining the PDP now would be like putting your mental health at risk. “What we’re focused on is governance,” he added, hinting again that Atiku supporting Tinubu might not be far-fetched after all.

The presidency has suggested that it may not be God’s will for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to become Nigeria’s president, urging him to accept this reality with grace. Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, shared this view during a recent interview on TVC. He spoke about the future of opposition politics and the need for political unity in the country.

Bwala advised Atiku to accept the current political situation and work together with President Tinubu to help build Nigeria’s future. “If I had the chance to meet him, I would say: ‘Your Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, you need to believe in destiny. God grants power to whomever He chooses, and from what we’re seeing, it doesn’t seem like it’s your time to govern Nigeria,’” Bwala said.

He also encouraged Atiku, the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to join forces with Tinubu’s administration and leave a meaningful legacy, “even if it’s realized through someone else.”

“There are other ways to contribute,” Bwala continued. “You and President Tinubu have been friends for years—work together and help create the Nigeria you both envision. Your legacy could be one of achieving your dreams through your friend.”

However, Bwala warned that if Atiku insists on running for president again, his political future might not unfold as he hopes. “As we’ve already seen, Atiku has lost a significant portion of his political base—probably 60 to 70 percent. Younger politicians who once followed him are now eager to forge their own path, and they have no plans of backing down,” he said.

Bwala’s comments come as opposition parties see a wave of defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Atiku himself has expressed uncertainty about running for the 2027 presidency, stating that it would depend on finding a viable platform.

Daniel Bwala, media and policy adviser to President Bola Tinubu, has advised Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to reject any offer to run as a vice presidential candidate in 2027. Bwala believes such a move would damage Obi’s political standing and alienate the strong support he enjoys, particularly from the youth-driven Obidient movement. He noted that Obi’s appeal is tied to his ambition to lead the country, not to play second fiddle.

Speaking during a Channels Television interview, Bwala said, “Peter Obi would be making the biggest mistake of his life by accepting to be anyone’s running mate. His supporters had only one deal with him – to run for president. If he abandons that, most of them will walk away.” He added that even Obi himself might not be comfortable playing a supporting role, given how far he has come on his own political journey.

Bwala also said defeating President Tinubu in 2027 would be nearly impossible, arguing that the President now has the advantage of incumbency and the political structure to rally support across party lines. He said more governors and lawmakers from other parties are aligning with Tinubu because, despite criticisms, people recognize that he’s working to unite the country and deliver results.

“To be honest, there’s no politician alive in Nigeria today with the kind of reach and political strength President Tinubu has,” Bwala said. “He may not be perfect, but he has both the heart and the head for leadership.”