Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South in the National Assembly, has taken a swipe at Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, describing him as a “maga dog” a street slang referring to someone seen as untrustworthy or disloyal to benefactors.
Ndume made the remark during an appearance on Channels Television on Friday, while responding to questions about his political rivalry with Bwala and whether he felt threatened by the presidential aide’s criticisms.
The senator dismissed any fears, asserting that Bwala lacks the political influence or electoral base to pose a challenge. “I’m not afraid of Bwala. He has no electoral value and cannot win an election anywhere in Borno,” Ndume stated firmly.
He went further to ridicule Bwala’s political ambitions, recalling his failed attempt to secure a senatorial seat in the past. “Bwala cannot even win a House of Assembly election. He tried to become a senator before and failed miserably. I really don’t want to waste time talking about Bwala—he’s a maga dog,” the lawmaker said.
The exchange follows growing tension between the two political figures. Recently, Bwala accused Senator Ndume of holding clandestine meetings with members of the opposition coalition in preparation for the 2027 general elections. Although Bwala publicly denied harboring any plans to run for the Borno South senatorial seat himself, he leveled several criticisms against Ndume’s long political career.
Bwala alleged that despite over two decades in the Senate, Ndume has failed to bring tangible development or fulfill his promises to the people of Borno South. He further accused the senator of being quick to criticize others while reacting harshly to any form of public scrutiny himself.
“Ndume is known for attacking leaders, but the moment anyone criticizes him, his supporters resort to threats and intimidation,” Bwala alleged.
The political clash has triggered reactions across the state, with observers divided over the relevance and weight of Bwala’s criticism versus Ndume’s longstanding incumbency. While Ndume remains a senior voice in the Senate and a prominent figure within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bwala once an opposition spokesperson has emerged as a key defender of the Tinubu administration.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, more confrontations between political heavyweights like Ndume and Bwala are expected, potentially reshaping alliances and political strategies in Borno State and beyond.
