Bwala attacks Rufai over old video linking Shettima to terrorism
Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, accused Arise TV host Rufai Oseni of spreading fake news after Rufai shared an old video of Bwala criticizing Tinubu and linking Vice President Kashim Shettima to terrorism. In the first clip, Bwala claimed Tinubu did not build Lagos State as widely asserted and described the president as merely a tax collector. Bwala fired back on X, calling Rufai a fake news peddler who profits from hate and vitriol aimed at Obidient supporters. Shortly after, Rufai posted another old video where Bwala, speaking on a Channels TV programme, alleged that Shettima, as Borno governor at the time, ignored a security report warning of insecurity, which contributed to the Chibok girls' kidnapping, and that the mastermind of the Madala bombing was found in Borno Government Lodge during Shettima’s tenure. Bwala stated he was not proud of Shettima. The tit‑for‑tat highlights the fragile state of media‑government relations in Nigeria, where old statements are resurfaced to score political points and shape public opinion. Such exchanges can amplify polarization, undermine trust in both official narratives and media outlets, and distract from substantive policy debates. Readers should verify claims through credible, multiple sources, be cautious of how outdated clips are re‑edited or taken out of context, and reflect on how media feuds affect national discourse and their own information diet.