James Bwala, a media aide to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, has voiced his criticism of Asari Dokubo, a former Niger Delta militant, for his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu. Bwala specifically took issue with Dokubo’s alarming and unsubstantiated claims regarding oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

Dokubo had made assertions connecting oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta to high-ranking Army, military, and Navy personnel. These claims raised concerns and were deemed both sensational and troubling by Bwala and others.

The implications of such allegations, if unfounded, could be damaging to the reputation of the security forces and the stability of the region.

In his assertions, the former Niger Delta warlord asserted that regular citizens lack the necessary resources and technology to participate in oil bunkering activities.

He further claimed that ordinary Nigerians do not possess the financial means to acquire the equipment needed to directly tap crude oil from the source, suggesting that only military experts possess such capabilities.

However, James Bwala, an aide to Atiku Abubakar, expressed strong disagreement with Dokubo’s claims, considering them deeply concerning. Bwala refuted the assertions made by Dokubo, emphasizing the need for evidence and factual information to support such serious allegations. By dismissing Dokubo’s claims as troubling, Bwala indicated a clear divergence of opinion on the matter.

Tweeting, Bwala wrote: “Today Asari Dokubo visited President Tinubu and after the meeting, he went to the press room to address the press in what capacity I do not know.

“Secondly he made blanket and outlandish claims without specific examples, facts or investigative reports against the Nigerian army without qualification. This is troubling.”