By Kolawole Ojebisi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala has said the Tinubu administration is the most tolerant of opposition’s criticisms since the country’s return to civilian rule
He noted that it is wrong to assert the current administration is suppressing opposition voices.
Bwala spoke on Tuesday during an interview on New Hub, a Silverbird Television programme.
“The notion that the president and his administration are suppressing the opposition is very wrong; as a matter of fact, it is this president who is even more tolerant of the opposition,” he said.
“And I’ll give you a case study of myself. You know that I have been in the opposition. After the election, I was very critical of the government.
“The president has never, at any material time, tried to embarrass me or using the machinery of the state. Rather, the president used the other aspect of political engagement to convince people to join his administration and that enticed me.
“In the last one year, we have had the most tremendous attack from the opposition against the government. The government has not taken any position against them. But you need to know two things.” he added.
The presidential aide said the law applies to everyone regardless of political affiliation, adding that the media should always authenticate claims before dishing them out.
Bwala’s comments came on the heels of accusations by some opposition figures and parties that the administration of Tinubu is stifling dissent.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has repeatedly alleged that the federal government intimidates and harasses citizens, particularly those who oppose it.
Atiku had also cautioned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against any attempt to use security agencies to muzzle the opposition.
