Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Public Communications and Media to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has dismissed ongoing concerns about the President’s health, asserting that Tinubu is “physically fitter than most presidents in developed nations.”
Speaking in an interview with DW Africa, Bwala responded to public scrutiny surrounding the President’s overseas medical trips and the early endorsements for his second-term bid in 2027.
“The President of Nigeria is, in fact, physically fitter than most presidents in the advanced countries,” Bwala stated, emphasizing that recent discussions around Tinubu’s health are exaggerated and politically motivated.
Addressing the wave of endorsements for President Tinubu’s re-election, Bwala explained that these are part of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s standard internal review process, rather than a premeditated political strategy.
“It’s a procedural process within our party. Regardless of who holds the presidency, we conduct a mid-term assessment to evaluate performance,” he said. “President Tinubu has passed that assessment with distinction.”
According to Bwala, the APC’s mid-term evaluation confirmed that Tinubu has demonstrated strong leadership and tangible results, reinforcing the party’s confidence heading into the 2027 general elections.
Key Achievements Highlighted
Bwala spotlighted several of the administration’s milestones, particularly in governance reform, healthcare, and agriculture:
Democratic Strengthening: He cited the introduction of local government autonomy as a pivotal achievement in decentralizing power and deepening democracy. “It has empowered local councils with resources to address community-level security and development needs,” he explained.
Healthcare Access: He noted the expansion of the national healthcare registry, which has added nearly 10 million Nigerians since the beginning of Tinubu’s tenure. Initiatives such as free caesarean sections for mothers and subsidized prescription drugs for underserved populations were also highlighted.
Agricultural Policy: Bwala pointed to a new rice policy that has improved affordability and availability of the staple food across income levels. “Rice is now accessible to Nigerians at every level, thanks to targeted subsidies,” he said.
Despite ongoing public discourse around the President’s fitness and leadership approach, Bwala maintained that the Tinubu administration remains focused on delivering measurable progress across key sectors.
