President Tinubu Healthier Than Global Peers, Says Aide Bwala, as Presidency Defends Tinubu's Fitness and Performance

 

Daniel Bwala, media aide to President Bola Tinubu, has strongly defended the Nigerian leader’s physical health and presidential performance, asserting that the president is not only capable but ranks ahead of many world leaders in terms of fitness. Bwala made the remarks during a recent interview with DW Africa, where he tackled questions regarding Tinubu’s medical trips abroad and growing political momentum pointing towards a possible re-election campaign in 2027.

He dismissed concerns surrounding the president’s well-being, countering critics by suggesting that Tinubu is in better physical condition than a significant number of presidents in advanced nations. “The president of Nigeria physically is fitter than most presidents in the advanced countries,” Bwala said emphatically.

His comments come at a time when political observers have raised eyebrows over early signs of campaign activity within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite 2027 being over two years away. Addressing those concerns, Bwala explained that the process is neither hasty nor unusual but stems from established practices within the party. According to him, APC has a mid-term evaluation tradition, which is not exclusive to Tinubu’s administration.

The purpose of this internal review, Bwala noted, is to gauge the performance of any sitting president halfway through their term. “It’s a procedure or a process with our party that there will be mid-term assessment,” he said, clarifying that the review would take place regardless of who holds the presidency.

By that measure, Bwala argued, President Tinubu has passed with high marks. “We have measured that he has performed wonderfully well,” he stated, adding that the APC feels confident about its standing ahead of the next electoral cycle.

As the conversation shifted to tangible achievements, Bwala spotlighted what he described as a landmark development under Tinubu’s leadership, the push for local government autonomy. He characterized the move as a step forward for Nigerian democracy, claiming it has empowered local authorities and enabled them to carry out key security and development responsibilities.

According to him, with this autonomy, local government chairmen now control more resources and can implement initiatives such as recruiting vigilante groups, procuring security vehicles, and boosting intelligence capabilities at the grassroots level. These measures, he said, are aimed at enhancing law enforcement effectiveness and building stronger community safety networks.

Bwala also pointed to gains in healthcare and food accessibility as further evidence of Tinubu’s impact on the lives of ordinary citizens. He mentioned the establishment of dispensaries providing free caesarean sections to mothers with birth complications as an example of how healthcare delivery has improved.

Another initiative he highlighted is the administration’s rice distribution policy. Designed to ensure that rice reaches Nigerians at all income levels, Bwala said the policy has increased availability and affordability of the staple food.

Touching on pharmaceutical access, he revealed that there are now subsidies in place for certain prescription drugs, specifically targeting underserved communities. These efforts, he said, are supported by a large-scale health registration program that has already brought nearly 10 million Nigerians into the national healthcare framework.

Throughout the interview, Bwala remained confident in both Tinubu’s personal capacity and the government’s performance. His remarks appear aimed at countering growing political opposition and media speculation over the president’s health and administrative direction.

While critics of the Tinubu administration continue to question the speed and substance of reforms, Bwala’s comments serve as a reminder of the administration’s efforts to paint a picture of strength, competence, and forward motion. The messaging also seems calibrated to maintain internal party cohesion and shore up public support as the APC looks ahead to future electoral contests.

Whether the broader Nigerian populace shares this optimistic assessment remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear, Tinubu’s camp is not waiting until 2027 to make its case.