- He stated that there is no statutory requirement for appointing ambassadors
- it is therefore misleading to insist that appointees must come from a particular background
- He added that Nigerians should judge appointees by their results
The Presidential Adviser on Policy and Communication, Daniel Bwala, has clarified that President Bola Tinubu’s approach to political appointments is guided by competence and trust rather than the search for flawless individuals.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Bwala made this known during a televised interview on Thursday, where he stressed that the constitution grants the President wide latitude to choose those he believes can help him deliver on his mandate.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- INEC Ends Phase 1 Voter Registration Dec 10
- Why CBN Increasing ATM Withdrawal Limit Matters
- Fire Service Officer Dies as One-Way Rider Causes Fatal Crash in Lagos
Bwala dismissed public concerns, suggesting that certain nominees must meet specific professional or moral benchmarks before serving the nation.
He stated that there is no statutory requirement for appointing ambassadors or many other political officeholders, noting that such roles have historically accommodated both career diplomats and seasoned politicians.
He pointed out that past administrations, long before the Buhari era, regularly appointed civilians as Ministers of Defence and ambassadors without controversy.
According to him, it is therefore misleading to insist that appointees must come from a particular background.
The presidential aide also argued that even in advanced democracies, appointments often reflect political strategy rather than perfection.
He cited the US Supreme Court to illustrate that ideological alignment, not moral purity, influenced many of the selections made during former President Donald Trump’s tenure.
Bwala maintained that the real test of leadership is not the absence of flaws but the readiness to work, the competence to perform, and the accountability that comes with public office. He emphasised that public officials can always be removed if they fall short.
Describing governance as “a continuous process shaped by feedback,” Bwala insisted that the Tinubu administration remains focused on performance, not public expectations of perfection.
He added that Nigerians should judge appointees by their results, not by preconceived standards.
