Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has explained why some supporters of the Obidient Movement expected him to back Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking in an interview published on the official YouTube channel of Echoo Room on Friday, July 17, 2026, Bwala said many people assumed he would join Obi after he distanced himself from Tinubu’s campaign over concerns surrounding the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
According to Bwala, the assumption was based on the belief that his position reflected concerns about the possible marginalization of Christians, with Obi being the only Christian presidential candidate in the race.
“When I left him, the Obidient movement supported me because they believed I was leaving over concerns that Christians might be marginalized. Since Peter Obi was the only Christian presidential candidate, they naturally assumed I would join him. That assumption was reinforced when I received a call asking me to support Peter Obi,” he said.
Bwala said he declined the invitation, insisting he is not a religious bigot and that his political decisions are guided by personal conviction rather than religious identity, public expectations, or political pressure.
