In response to a question on the pressing security issues plaguing Nigeria, posed by Al Jazeera journalist Mehdi Hasan during an interview earlier today, presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala dismissed the concerns, suggesting that he is unaware of any such insecurity gripping the nation.
His remarks appeared as a stark contrast to the alarming realities many Nigerians face daily.
During the heated interview, Hasan cited Amnesty International by asking why thousands of Nigerians have been killed and kidnapped across the country without action, but Bwala said, “Honestly, I’m not aware of that.”
Credit: Aljazeera.com
The Journalist also questioned him about why “Nigeria has become one of the deadliest countries in the world,” with “Around 11,000 people – reportedly killed in the past year.”
Bwala, who responded in seemingly contradictory terms, said, “I acknowledge that insecurity exists in Nigeria,” arguing that “no country in the world is free from insecurity.”
The journalist insisted that “the numbers show it has gotten worse under this administration,” but Bwala responded by saying, “It depends on how you interpret the numbers. Some people see the glass half empty, others see it half full.”
As regards Amnesty International’s claim that “impunity continues and killings remain widespread,” the presidential spokesperson said, “I’m not aware of that report.”
Hasan explained that “since President Tinubu took office, insecurity has worsened. Nigeria is now one of the deadliest countries in the world. Amnesty International reports document thousands of killings and kidnappings continuing under this administration.”
When he asked the presidential mouthpiece if he was aware of that, Bwala simply responded, “I am not aware of that specific report.”
Presidential Spokesman, Daniel Bwala. Credit: Sbm.news.
Hasan challenged the former spokesman for Atiku Abubakar and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 general election campaign about his past statements concerning President Tinubu, saying, “In 2023, you said President Tinubu was corrupt and that the election involved massive corruption.”
The Borno State Lawyer said, “That was my opinion at the time. Mehdi Hasan,” adding that “The matter was litigated and concluded by the Supreme Court.”
The presidential media personality, whose team was allegedly seen in “a video over the weekend – researching and preparing” for the Al Jazeera interview, claimed that “The government is fighting [insecurity] seriously.”
