My ‘Most Valuable Persons 2025’: No. 01 – Dr. Daniel Hassan Bwala 

Expectedly, he is my natural number 01. Even if for nothing but the traction, he will remain my numero uno of all times. Barely 2 months after his appointment, precisely January 21, 2025, he named me his _*’2iC’*_. That spoke volume about his absolute trust in me. Whether as his acolyte, liege man, or epigone, that act alone put a permanent emblem on me as a dyed-in-the-wool votary of his. Who is this numero uno of those who made the outgoing year 2025 a memorable one for me? He is no other person than Dr. Daniel Bwala, the _Special Adviser cum Spokesperson_ to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR on Media and Policy Communications.

“…with my 2iC, Babawale Omobolahan, highly effective, competent and loyal.” He had posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on that fateful day, January 21, 2025 a video of himself and me. It was the seal (for me), having been constantly ‘mocked’ before then by some of our Progressive folks who felt my loyalty to him was misplaced. “How could he have continued to stick with somebody who left the party and Mr. President?” Many had murmured. Some even said it to my face, unbeknown to them that my loyalty to a cause or a person is not necessarily pecuniary. I knew what Dr. Bwala did during the struggle for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries ticket. I knew his commitment to the project. And (now) President Tinubu also knew his input. I equally knew the threats he faced from his people – the North. I was with him all through. I saw it all.

When eventually he took that inevitable decision as a corollary of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, I knew his sentiments, being a Muslim myself. I felt it. I knew his dilemma coming from the Christian minority from the north and the experience of that demography over the years. After all, we all have blood run in our veins. So, I stuck my gun and stood with him even when everybody left. I was the last man standing. Then, the attacks came, pouring in torrents against his personality. I went out ‘guns-a-blazing’ to defend his cause, his person. I did not mind becoming a persona non grata within the Progressives. Loyalty, to me, is rising and sinking with somebody you take as your eidolon – your beau ideal or patron saint.

In equal measure, Dr. Bwala did not disappoint me. He stood by me. He ensured the tears I shed the day he called me to the 10th Floor of Transcorp Hilton following the APC presidential primaries to tell me of his decision, albeit painful, to leave the Tinubu project after putting so much efforts and energy. While away, I kept in touch with him, sometimes begging and appealing to him to return to his habitat (the APC). He would always tell me, “Omobolahan, God’s will will be done.” Today, that will (of God) has seen him sit near Mr. President in the Presidential Villa as his voice in the media.

While in the opposition, he secured my membership of the Presidential Campaign Council. First, he took me to meet with Senator Sani Musa (313) who currently represents Niger State at the Red Chamber. He did not stop there. He ensured I got a call from then Secretary of the Campaign Council, Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke. The latter called to get my details and asked me to return to Abuja to pick up my letter. The third day, I left Osogbo, Osun State, where I was when Hon. Faleke’s call came in. On my return, I headed straight to Buhari House (APC Campaign Office), Central Business District, Abuja to pick up my appointment letter into the Council. And there you have it, appointment letter into the Policy, Research and Strategy Directorate of the Campaign Council. A lot of politics involved, but that’s a story for another day.

To further prove his ‘loyalty’ too, Dr. Bwala did something shocking. After the court case over the 2023 presidential election and the petition was laid to rest by the Supreme Court, Dr. Bwala was sought after by Mr. President. When eventually, he was to meet with the Commander-in-Chief for the first time since he left him in June 2022. It was on a Wednesday, January 10, 2024. He took me along with himself. That would be my first time ever of entering the _State House_ – the Seat of Power, not the Banquet Hall (smiles). What else did I need to convince me that this Gwaski man loves me for real?! He is Christian. I am Muslim. He’s from the north. I am a Yoruba man. What else can I ask from God if not to continually thank Him for making my path cross with Dr. Bwala’s.

Dr. Bwala has hitherto ensured I, alongside other team members, feature very prominently in all his engagements as regards his assignment with Mr. President. Whether meeting with various groups or engaging in media interactions within and outside Abuja, he makes sure everyone is carried along. This is notwithstanding his generosity to keep his team members afloat using his personal resources. It is not out of place to describe him as a man with the Midas touch. This piece is not enough to tell the story as it is. However, his impact, more of an anodyne, has deservedly earned him the number one spot among those who made the year worth the while for me.

To a man whom I always describe as ‘SPOX like no other’, Dr. Daniel Hassan Bwala, thank you for everything. For the love, for the trust, for your loyalty too, and for the camaraderie, I will eternally remain thankful to you. May God in His infinite mercies continue to keep you for humanity and for nation building.

Always remember that I love you. I always will.

OMOLUABI OMOGBOLAHAN BABAWALE