Daniel Bwala, a former aide to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has raised concerns about certain individuals from the North who are allegedly fostering the perception that President Bola Tinubu harbors animosity towards the Northern region. Bwala firmly asserts that this impression is unfounded, emphasizing that Tinubu does not hate northern Nigeria, nor does the North hold any animosity towards him.

This statement comes in the wake of significant public backlash following the arraignment of malnourished protesters, many of whom were minors, who participated in the recent #EndBadGovernance demonstrations. The outcry surrounding their treatment and subsequent legal proceedings drew widespread attention and condemnation. In response to the growing public concern, President Tinubu took action by directing the immediate release of all individuals detained in connection with these protests.

In light of these events, Bwala has urged President Tinubu to adopt a more unconventional approach when engaging with northern elites. He pointed out that the current conventional methods might be manipulated by those close to the President, suggesting that these individuals may be contributing to the negative perception of Tinubu among the Northern populace. Bwala expressed this sentiment on social media platform X, stating, “The President @officialABAT does not hate Northern Nigeria; neither does the North hate President Tinubu. It seems the northerners around the President are either creating the impression or fueling it.”

Through these remarks, Bwala calls for a reevaluation of the strategies employed in fostering relationships with northern leaders to ensure a more constructive and positive dialogue moving forward.