President Tinubu Is A Team Player, Not One Man Squad – Bwala

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said the collaborative governance style of the President was instrumental to harmony between the federal government and governors.

Naija News reports that Bwala highlighted the Tax Reform Bill, local government autonomy and foreign travels as instances the President collaborated with governors to ensure smooth relationships.

In an interview with Channels TV on Monday, Tinubu’s spokesman stated that the President believed in teamwork rather than a man-squad leadership style.

He disclosed that the delay in sending local government allocations directly to the council chairman was based on the President seeking consultation with governors.

“Generally in life, before you can do anything, you have to talk it. It is when you talk it, then you will back it up with action. I’m sure that those who have been observing the conduct of Mr President and his demeanor towards his relationship with the governors will certainly agree with us that the President is one who believes in teamwork rather than one man’s court

“And I can give you an example of the President’s commitment to collaborate with governors. We had a judgment that authorized local government autonomy but he didn’t rush to implement it. He still engaged the state governor. So we can have an understanding of how to effectively implement the judgment of the Supreme Court which is also backed up by what the President plan was and that has been achieved.

“And then we are going to see in the coming week the release of these funds directly to the local government; that’s the idea of the President engaging with governors,” he said.

Governors Having Been Getting Money Beyond Allocation

Bwala disclosed that governors have been getting funds from the federal government aside from the monthly allocation.

He stated that the President was comfortable with any move that would guarantee the development of the nation.

“You must have also noticed or observed over time that on so many occasions with the governor’s demand for some money, the President will have the money released to them despite the fact that they have increased allocation.

“The president’s ears have always been open also to the governors on areas that the federal government will collaborate with them in delivering governance. Now when you deliver governance, I believe you are still fulfilling part of the sustainability; because we’re looking at development that will last. We are looking at for what will last not just for us, like he said in the speech, but for the time after us, and the President is poised on that,” he stated.

Tax Reform Bill and Foreign Trips

Speaking further, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication explained that the numerous consultations on the Tax Reform Bill were in line with President Tinubu’s belief in carrying everyone along.

“He has been having serious meetings with the governor, even for example the tax reform which is part of the initiative. The President has also been engaging with the governor. There is no evidence to show that there is any lack of communication engagement collaboration or effort on the part of the President to carry the governors along in fulfilling that,” he noted.

Bwala added governors were also maximizing the gains of President Tinubu’s foreign trips for the development of the states.

“Remember almost all of these trips that travels to, he travels with the governors. And these governors have been so good that in almost all of the trips that they travel with him, they also explore opportunities to get investors and explore opportunities to also take advantage of what is on the table so they can bring it and break it down to their state which is what you are seeing in some states,” he added.