Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication Daniel Bwala, has filed a defamation suit in a British Court against Al Jazeera, alleging the Qatar-based broadcaster selectively edited and thereby misrepresented his appearance on its Head to Head programme.
Bwala told listeners on The Morayo Show at MAP Studios that he instructed his lawyers in England to commence legal proceedings after Al Jazeera declined his request to issue a public apology.
The broadcaster, he said, offered a private apology but refused to publish it on social media.
“My Advisers in England said it’s a defamation of character,” Bwala said, adding that roughly 49 minutes of a 90-minute interview were broadcast, a decision he says portrayed him unfairly and damaged his reputation.
The contested interview, which aired in March and was hosted by Mehdi Hasan, drew attention after Hasan pressed Bwala over remarks the aide made while serving as spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 presidential campaign.
Bwala has repeatedly argued the programme’s editing distorted his comments.
The presidential aide used the interview to renew criticism of State Governors’ handling of insecurity, saying kidnappings that occur in local government areas make Governors accountable.
“Every kidnapping and abduction that takes place in any state of Nigeria holds that governor responsible,” he said, urging citizens to demand explanations for how federal Safe Schools Initiative funds were spent.
He also said some Oyo State local governments receive as much as ₦600 million monthly and that those funds should support primary health care, education, local security and welfare.
Bwala called for regular town-hall forums so residents can scrutinize local officials’ spending.
Separately, Bwala addressed backlash over his return to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he left the party in 2022 because he feared its Muslim–Muslim presidential ticket could marginalize Christians, particularly in northern Nigeria.
