Demola Olarewaju, Special Assistant to the PDP presidential candidate, has criticized the recent reshuffling of President Tinubu’s media team, alleging that Daniel Bwala’s redesignation reflects a demotion.
The reshuffle was revealed by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who announced that Sunday Dare, previously the Special Adviser on Public Communication and National Orientation, has been reassigned to the new role of Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications.
Meanwhile, Daniel Bwala, who was previously appointed as Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, has now been reassigned to the role of Special Adviser on Policy Communication.
Olarewaju, in a pointed reaction posted on X (formerly Twitter), criticized the manner in which the media team changes were communicated, suggesting that the timing and the nature of the announcement reflected an attempt to undermine Bwala.
“Egbon Onanuga didn’t wait till morning or later to issue that press release re-designating Bwala’s position. Man dropped it ‘as e dey hot’ at 11:28 in the night,” Olarewaju wrote.
He went on to speculate that the swift announcement signified internal power dynamics, suggesting that those behind the move had already “accessed Tinubu, made their case, and demoted Bwala” before quickly issuing the press release.
Olarewaju further described the decision as a “coded message” to Bwala. According to the PDP aide, the reshuffle was an implicit reminder that while Bwala may hold an office, those in power are ultimately the ones who control the levers of influence.
“The message to Bwala is: ‘You might be in office but we are in power. You might know Tinubu but we’ve known Tinubu. We might let you be with us but you’re not one of us, and you will know your place or we will quickly teach you,’” Olarewaju added.
He concluded his statement by accusing the government of acting without shame, suggesting that the rapid and public nature of Bwala’s reassignment reflected a deeper political maneuver within the ruling party