Presidential adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s 2014 demand that former President Goodluck Jonathan resign following the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Bwala said Tinubu’s criticism was “legitimate,” arguing that Jonathan’s administration initially denied the kidnapping and lacked a clear strategy to tackle escalating terrorism.
He noted that under Jonathan, insurgents controlled some communities and collected taxes, a situation he says differs from the current administration’s approach.
Bwala also defended Tinubu’s zero-tolerance policy on negotiating with kidnappers, warning that ransom payments fuel terrorism by providing criminals with funds for weapons. He acknowledged that past governments engaged in negotiations to save lives but insisted the Tinubu administration avoids actions that could finance terror groups.
Nigeria has recently seen a resurgence in school kidnappings, raising renewed concerns over student safety and the federal government’s anti-terror strategies.
