News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

US President Donald Trump has said the war in Iran is “very complete” following a phone conversation that lasted about an hour with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump told CBS News that the joint military operation carried out by the United States and Israel had severely weakened Iran’s military capability.

“I think the war is very complete, pretty much,” he said, adding that the US was “very far” ahead of its original timeline.

According to Trump, the campaign left Iran with “no navy, no communications… no air force”.

He added: “Their missiles are down to a scatter. Their drones are being blown up all over the place, including their manufacturing of drones.

“If you look, they have nothing left. There’s nothing left in a military sense.”

The US president made the remarks shortly after speaking with Putin. The Kremlin said the Russian leader presented “several proposals to end the Iran conflict quickly” during the call.

American defence officials also indicated that the military was approaching the point where it could achieve its operational goals in the conflict.

Trump later addressed Republican lawmakers in Miami, where he described the war as a “short-term excursion”. He praised the performance of the US military and said global perception of the country had improved.

“The world respects us right now more than they have ever respected us,” he said.

“We’ve already won in many ways, but we haven’t won enough,” Mr Trump said.

“We will not relent until the enemy is decisively defeated,” he added.

Financial markets reacted quickly to the developments. Stocks on Wall Street moved higher after Trump’s comments. The S&P 500 rose by 0.8 percent in afternoon trading in New York, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.5 percent.

Oil prices also dropped from earlier highs, falling to about $92 per barrel after reaching around $120 earlier in the day.

Despite the decline, analysts warned that prices could rise again if the conflict continues or if shipping disruptions persist in the Strait of Hormuz.

Independent oil analyst Tom Kloza cautioned that the drop may not last.

“It may prove to be a fool’s drop, or it may not. I think they’re betting on the fact that the Strait of Hormuz needs to be reopened. But I don’t think we’re done with triple digit oil unless the Strait is actually reopened.”

Dan Pickering, chief investment officer at Pickering Energy Partners, also warned that market reactions may remain unpredictable.

“This market has been schizophrenic. What we should expect is that the markets will react to almost every piece of commentary. Tomorrow, it could be the Iranians commenting about fighting for a long time, or a tanker could catch fire in the Strait of Hormuz and we could be back to being afraid again.

“Oil prices are still elevated because we have a war in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz is closed. Donald Trump can’t talk it open. There’s going to have to be a change in the situation before those bottlenecked barrels can move again. Talk has to be backed up by actions.”

Meanwhile, Australia confirmed that it granted asylum to five members of Iran’s visiting women’s football team. Authorities said the players feared persecution if they returned home.

Australia’s home affairs minister Tony Burke said the athletes would be allowed to remain in the country.

“They are welcome to stay in Australia, and they are safe here, and should feel at home here,” he told reporters.

The development came after the players refused to sing Iran’s national anthem during a tournament match in Australia last week, an act widely viewed as a protest against the Islamic Republic.

A Palestinian journalist, Amal Shamali, has died after an Israeli air strike hit the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, according to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS).

Shamali worked as a correspondent for Qatar Radio. The PJS said the journalist was killed on Monday when Israeli forces carried out the strike on the camp.

In a statement, the union explained that Shamali had also contributed to several Arab and local media organisations. It added that she remained active in her profession despite the ongoing war in Gaza. The organisation said she was among reporters who continued their work throughout the conflict in the territory.

The PJS described the rising number of journalists killed in Gaza as alarming. It noted that more than 270 journalists and media workers have died since Israel launched its military campaign in the enclave on October 7, 2023. The war began after Hamas-led attacks targeted southern Israel.

The union said: “This represents one of the bloodiest periods for journalists in modern history, reflecting the scale of the deliberate targeting of Palestinian journalism in an attempt to silence the voice of truth and prevent the documentation of the crimes and violations committed against the Palestinian people.”

The organisation added: “Targeting journalists will not succeed in breaking the will of the Palestinian journalistic community or deterring it from fulfilling its professional and humanitarian mission of conveying the truth and documenting the crimes and aggression faced by the Palestinian people.”

Gaza’s Government Media Office also reacted to the killing. In a statement, it said it “strongly condemns the systematic targeting, killing, and assassination of Palestinian journalists by the Israeli occupation”.

The office further stated that it “holds the Israeli occupation, the U.S. administration, and the countries participating in the crime of genocide – such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France – fully responsible for committing these heinous and brutal crimes”.

It called on international and regional media organisations, as well as human rights groups, to condemn what it described as attacks against journalists in Gaza. The office urged the international community to work toward holding Israel accountable for its “ongoing crimes” against Palestinian journalists.

Data compiled by the monitoring platform Shireen.ps indicates that Israeli attacks have killed roughly 13 journalists every month during the more than two years of fighting. The platform is named after Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who died after Israeli forces shot her in the occupied West Bank in 2022.

The monitoring group also reported that at least 10 of the journalists killed during the war worked for Al Jazeera. One of them was Arabic correspondent Anas al-Sharif, who reported extensively from northern Gaza.

Researchers say the war in Gaza has become the deadliest conflict for journalists in modern times. The Costs of War project at Brown University reports that the number of journalists killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023 exceeds the total killed in several major wars combined. These include the US Civil War, both World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, and the post-9/11 war in Afghanistan.

A report released earlier this year by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) also identified Palestine as the most dangerous place in the world for journalists in 2025.

The report said the Middle East recorded the highest number of journalist deaths last year. It accounted for 74 fatalities out of the 128 media workers killed worldwide. Africa followed with 18 deaths. The Asia-Pacific region recorded 15, while the Americas had 11 and Europe reported 10.

Meanwhile, Gaza’s Ministry of Health says that since a ceasefire mediated by the United States and Qatar took effect in October, at least 640 Palestinians have died and about 1,700 others have been wounded.

Health authorities in Gaza say that since the start of the war in October 2023, at least 72,123 Palestinians have died and 171,805 have been injured. Israeli officials say that 1,139 people were killed during the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The development was announced on Monday through a statement issued by the governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka. He explained that the decision came after the governor held consultations with political leaders, elders and supporters across the state.

“The Government and PDP family of Zamfara State wish to formally inform the general public of an important political development following extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders, and supporters across the state.

“After careful consideration, and in the overriding interest of stability, progress, and the sustainable development of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, has decided to formally defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress,” the statement read.

Anka said the governor’s move was largely influenced by the internal problems facing the PDP at both national and state levels.

“This decision was reached after wide consultations with political stakeholders and supporters, particularly in view of the prolonged internal crisis, leadership disagreements, and unresolved structural challenges within the PDP at both the national and state levels.

“These challenges have continued to create uncertainty and distractions that could hinder effective governance and the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State,” the statement added.

The governor’s spokesman also stated that Lawal remains focused on addressing security issues and promoting development in the North-West state.

Anka explained that the governor believed it was necessary to join a platform that offers better unity and stronger collaboration with the Federal Government.

He said the governor chose to “align with a political platform that provides greater unity, stability, and stronger cooperation with the Federal Government for the benefit of the people.”

The statement also revealed that the final decision followed a meeting held at the Government House in Gusau. The meeting involved senior government officials and key political stakeholders. It was coordinated by the Deputy Governor.

“The final deliberation leading to this historic decision was held at the Government House in Gusau under the coordination and leadership of the Deputy Governor, alongside senior government officials and key political stakeholders,” the statement said.

According to Anka, the governor also thanked members of the PDP for their support during his time in the party. However, he said the prevailing political situation made the change necessary.

“By joining the APC, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, accelerating development, and ensuring that Zamfara State benefits fully from stronger collaboration with the Federal Government,” it added.

Governor Lawal is among several governors expected to contest for re-election in the 2027 general elections.

His defection came shortly after a Court of Appeal ruling on Monday. The court upheld an earlier order that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the PDP national convention held in Ibadan.

With Lawal’s move, the number of APC governors in Nigeria has now risen to 31.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

In what appears to be a daring move against the United States and its allies, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed support for Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, after the cleric was appointed by the country’s Assembly of Experts.

Putin congratulated the 56-year-old on Monday. He said he believed the new leader would continue the legacy of his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in recent US-Israeli strikes.

The Russian leader said he was confident Mojtaba Khamenei would carry out his responsibilities “with honour” and unite the Iranian people “in the face of severe trials”.

Putin also reaffirmed Moscow’s position on Iran. He said Russia wished to confirm “unwavering support ‌for Tehran and solidarity with ⁠our Iranian ⁠friends”.

Iran and Russia have maintained close ties since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. During the current conflict, reports have suggested Moscow may have supplied intelligence that helped Iranian forces target American positions. The White House has not denied those reports, although Russia has not formally entered the war on Iran’s side.

China has also reacted to the leadership change in Tehran. Beijing warned against any attempt by the United States or Israel to target Mojtaba Khamenei during their military campaign.

Meanwhile, the conflict in the Middle East has continued to intensify. Israel launched fresh air strikes on several Iranian locations, including Tehran, Isfahan and parts of southern Iran. Israeli officials said the attacks were directed at key infrastructure.

Thousands of Iranians gathered in major cities to show support for the new leader. Crowds assembled at Enghelab Square in Tehran and Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan. Many people carried Iranian flags and portraits of Mojtaba Khamenei while pledging loyalty to him.

In Washington, US President Donald Trump said any decision to end the war would involve both the United States and Israel.

“I think it’s mutual… a little bit. We’ve been talking. I’ll make a decision at the right time, but everything’s going to be taken into account,” Trump told The Times of Israel.

He also claimed the military action prevented a larger threat from Iran.

“Iran was going to destroy Israel and everything else around it… We’ve worked together. We’ve destroyed a country that wanted to destroy Israel,” he said.

Trump declined to comment directly on Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as Iran’s new supreme leader, saying only: “We’ll see what happens.”

Diplomatic efforts to calm the crisis are also under way. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his government is working with partners to reduce tensions in the region.

French President Emmanuel Macron has travelled to Cyprus for talks with President Nikos Christodoulides on regional security. France has deployed naval forces to the Mediterranean and says it will help defend British bases on the island while Royal Navy ships are absent.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A senior United States senator has suggested that the ongoing war against Iran could bring major economic benefits if the current Iranian government collapses.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who has long supported military intervention abroad, made the remarks during an interview with Fox News on Sunday. He said it would be worthwhile for Washington to invest resources in removing Iran’s leadership.

“When this regime goes down, we are going to have a new Middle East, and we are going [to] make a tonne of money,” Graham said.

The veteran lawmaker has been one of the most outspoken supporters of the US-Israel war against Iran under President Donald Trump’s administration. He also appeared to link recent US actions abroad to control over global oil supplies.

“Venezuela and Iran have 31 percent of the world’s oil reserves. We’re going to have a partnership with 31 percent of the known reserves. This is China’s nightmare. This is a good investment,” he said.

Iran strongly rejected the claims and accused Washington of attempting to divide the country in order to control its natural resources.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the United States had a clear plan to weaken the country and take over its oil wealth.

“Their design is clear, their enterprise is quite obvious – they aim at partitioning our country to take illegal possession of our oil riches,” he said. “Their objective is to violate our sovereignty, defeat our people and undermine our humanity.”

Graham also warned that US and Israeli attacks on Iran could intensify in the coming weeks. He issued a strong warning to Tehran over threats to shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.

The senator said the US was ready to escalate military pressure.

The Trump administration has defended the strikes against Iran. President Trump said the Iranian government posed a serious danger to Americans.

“An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a dire threat to every American,” Trump said on March 2.

However, some analysts and legal experts have questioned the justification for the military action. They said the claim that Iran posed an immediate threat lacks legal backing under international law.

The conflict has also affected the global economy. Oil prices have risen above 100 dollars per barrel since the fighting began. Iranian missile and drone attacks have targeted Gulf countries that host US military bases. These include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. The strikes have disrupted oil and gas production and forced several countries in the region to close their airspace.

Reports also show that Graham held several meetings with Israeli officials before the war began. He said he had discussions with members of Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad.

“They’ll tell me things our own government won’t tell me,” Graham said.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the senator also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visits. The report said Graham advised Netanyahu on how to persuade President Trump to support military action.

Netanyahu later presented intelligence information to Trump that helped convince him to approve the joint attacks on Iran, the senator said.

Israel has repeatedly claimed that Iran intends to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denies the accusation and insists its nuclear programme is designed for civilian purposes.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has also said there is currently no evidence of a systematic programme by Iran to produce nuclear weapons.

Graham has supported several US military operations in the Middle East during the past two decades. These include the 2003 invasion of Iraq, as well as interventions in Syria and Libya.

During the interview, he also urged Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to join the fight against Iran.

“Yeah. I want them to get into the fight. We sell them weapons. Iran is striking their country; they have good capability,” he said.

Graham’s remarks also suggested that US attention could shift to Cuba in the future.

“You see this hat? ‘Free Cuba.’ Stay tuned. The liberation of Cuba is upon us. We’re marching through the world. We’re clearing out the bad guys. Cuba is next.”

A Nigerian academic, Professor Farooq Kperogi, has criticised the banking system in Nigeria, alleging that banks impose excessive charges on customers and operate in a manner that disadvantages account holders.

In a Facebook post shared on Monday, Kperogi argued that Nigerian banks operate in an environment where both financial institutions and the government appear to benefit at the expense of customers.

According to him, “Nigerian banks may be the only financial institutions in the world where the bank and the government form a tag team against the customer.”

He said customers are charged for almost every transaction related to their accounts. “They charge you when money enters your account. They charge you when money leaves your account. Then the banks charge you for the privilege of letting the money sit idly where you kept it. Your account is basically a toll gate,” he stated.

Kperogi also shared an example he said illustrated the problem. He recounted a story told by a friend who had opened a domiciliary account and deposited 500 dollars, only to discover years later that the money had been depleted by maintenance fees.

“A friend told me just yesterday that he once opened a domiciliary account and deposited $500 in it. Years later he returned to withdraw it. The bank informed him that the entire $500 had been consumed by ‘account maintenance’!” he wrote.

He questioned the justification for such charges, asking rhetorically, “Maintenance of what exactly? The air surrounding the account?”

The professor further argued that actions that would normally be considered theft if done by individuals are often accepted when carried out by banks.

“If a stranger took your money this way, we would call it theft. But when banks do it, we call it banking and then applaud when they announce billions in annual profits,” he said.

Kperogi added that what he finds most troubling is the level of acceptance among Nigerians regarding the charges imposed by banks.

“The saddest part is that Nigerians have made peace with this daylight corporate pickpocketing by banks,” he added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed a suspected kidnapper and rescued 19 people who were abducted in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The operation took place around Gidan Dogo after security forces received intelligence about the hideout of suspected terrorists linked to the recent abduction of residents in the Byazhin area of Bwari.

Captain Olawuyi Itunuoluwa, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the Headquarters Guards Brigade, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday. He said soldiers carried out the mission with support from personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes.

“The operation was launched following credible intelligence on the whereabouts of terrorists responsible for the recent abduction of residents from the Byazhin area of Bwari,” Itunuoluwa said.

According to him, troops confronted the suspects during the operation. The encounter led to an exchange of gunfire.

“During the operation, troops made contact with the bandits, leading to a firefight in which one of the criminals was neutralised, while others fled the scene with suspected gunshot wounds,” he said.

He stated that security personnel later searched the area and recovered weapons. All the kidnapped victims were also rescued during the operation.

“Further exploitation of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and one locally fabricated firearm. Additionally, all 19 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued and evacuated to safety,” he added.

The army spokesman said the troops have returned to their base in Bwari. He noted that the rescued victims are currently receiving care.

Itunuoluwa also said the Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya, praised the troops and other security operatives who participated in the mission.

“The brigade will continue to intensify operations in collaboration with other security agencies to rid the territory and its environs of terrorism, kidnapping, and other criminal activities,” he said.

Onasanya also reaffirmed the brigade’s commitment to protecting residents of the Federal Capital Territory and ensuring the security of Abuja as the nation’s capital.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has authorised 50,000 extra slots for the 2026 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation. The decision aims to accommodate the increasing number of graduates waiting to participate in the national service programme.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, announced the development in Abuja during the inauguration of a remodelled clinic at the scheme’s National Directorate Headquarters. The event also marked his first anniversary in office as the chief executive of the organisation.

A statement issued by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, explained that the additional slots have already been included in the scheme’s 2026 budget.

Nafiu also said provisions had been made in the Federal Government’s 2027 budget plan to improve the quality of corps members’ kits as well as their feeding and transportation allowances.

He stated that the scheme plans to mobilise about 450,000 prospective corps members in 2026. He added that safety remains a major consideration during deployment.

“This year, we are mobilising about 450,000 prospective Corps members and, as much as possible, we avoid deploying them to red zones. We remain mindful because we owe parents the responsibility of safeguarding the lives of their children,” he said.

The NYSC boss noted that the renovation and upgrade of the headquarters clinic formed part of efforts by the current management to improve staff welfare and operational efficiency.

Nafiu also reviewed other achievements recorded during his first year in office. He said the 2025 promotion exercise for staff was conducted to improve career growth and raise morale within the organisation.

He added that the management facilitated the payment of peculiar allowances for staff and retirement benefits for former personnel. According to him, the scheme also completed a recruitment exercise to strengthen its operational capacity.

Nafiu further disclosed that the NYSC received a compressed natural gas (CNG) bus as a donation to improve transportation for staff and corps members.

He said the scheme is also working to strengthen its Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme through partnerships with other institutions.

According to him, the NYSC has partnered with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University to digitise the SAED platform.

He added that the management has also worked with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON), and other stakeholders to boost support for the scheme.

The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, who commissioned the remodelled clinic, said the facility would help improve staff welfare and productivity.

Olawande assured that the ministry would continue to support the NYSC in its efforts to serve Nigerian youths.

“We are working to transform and reform the NYSC. We are doing everything possible to secure the future of our Corps members,” the minister said.

He also advised corps members to avoid travelling at night for security reasons.

“When you are travelling and it is getting late, locate the nearest military barracks, police station or NYSC office and spend the night there,” he advised.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In a major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory, troops from the Guards Brigade have rescued 19 kidnapped victims and neutralized a terrorist during an operation in Bwari Area Council.

The coordinated search and rescue mission was carried out by the 7 Guards Battalion, working alongside operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes. The operation zeroed in on Gidan Dogo following credible intelligence regarding the hideout of the gang responsible for the recent abduction of residents in the Byazhin community.

According to a statement from the Brigade, troops made contact with the criminals, sparking a fierce firefight. One terrorist was neutralized during the exchange, while others fled the scene, believed to be escaping with gunshot wounds.

Following the clearance of the area, security forces recovered one AK-47 rifle and a locally fabricated firearm. All 19 victims were found alive at the location and were immediately evacuated to safety. They are currently receiving necessary attention and care.

The Commander Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, lauded the troops and the supporting agencies for their gallantry and professionalism. He reassured residents of the Federal Capital Territory of the Brigade’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.

“We will continue to intensify operations in collaboration with other security agencies to rid the territory and its environs of terrorism, kidnapping, and other criminal activities,” Onasanya stated.

Troops remain on high alert and are dominating the general area to prevent any further criminal activity.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, has responded to the criticism that followed his recent appearance on Al Jazeera’s Head to Head programme.

He said he stands by his decision to defend the Tinubu administration during the interview with journalist Mehdi Hassan and has no regrets about taking part in the programme.

The interview, which aired on Thursday, generated strong reactions across social media platforms. Several clips circulated widely on X, where many commentators criticised Bwala’s performance and described it as embarrassing.

During the discussion, Hassan confronted Bwala with remarks he made in the past about President Tinubu before he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress in 2023. In those earlier comments, Bwala had referred to Tinubu as corrupt, unfit to lead, and a drug baron.

At some points in the interview, Bwala disputed making certain statements. Hassan then presented video recordings of the remarks, which triggered further reactions and mockery online.

The Al Jazeera host also questioned Bwala on Nigeria’s worsening security situation. Hassan cited figures from reports published by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Some critics later argued that Bwala did not counter those figures with independent data.

In a statement released on Saturday, Bwala said the backlash was expected. He claimed the criticism came largely from opposition supporters and insisted it would not distract him from his responsibilities in government.

“The majority of the naysayers are members of the opposition and their sympathisers. It does not bother me one bit. Their temporary excitement over the interview has not lasted and will not last, because it does not take away their obvious problem of lack of vision and mission in conducting and managing a political party.”

Bwala also rejected suggestions that his appearance on the programme was meant to impress viewers.

He said, “Selling ice cream, looking fine, and seeking the praises of men were never part of” his job description, he said, adding that promoting and defending the President and his administration was what he did “with ease and joy.”

The presidential aide stated that producers of the programme first contacted him nearly six months ago. He said they indicated interest in questioning the government on issues such as security, corruption, and the economy. According to him, they never informed him that the interview would include questions about his past political comments.

“Nowhere in our almost six months of communication did they mention that they were going to challenge my past. If that had been their plan, ethically and professionally, they were supposed to inform me so I could prepare my response. But that’s okay, ethically, that is on them, not on me.”

Bwala further accused Hassan of using what he described as “opposition research-style journalism.” He alleged that some of the statements presented during the interview were inaccurate, while others amounted to “outright fake news.” He said he would address those issues in detail later.

On the issue of his earlier criticism of President Tinubu, Bwala said political rivalry often leads to strong statements.

“I am glad those were things I said when I was in the opposition saddle with such zeal. It is all politics.

“Half of Donald Trump’s cabinet is made up of people who once spoke against him, and quite a number of people in our own cabinet also spoke against President Tinubu in the past. Those things do not bother him if you care to know.”

Bwala also criticised opposition parties. He said they lack a clear plan for governance and electoral success.

“They have no path to victory and no alternative policies or programme for the Nigerian people.

“And if they say they do, they can as well go to Head to Head and be interrogated on that.”

He stressed that he remains willing to face tough interviews in defence of the government.

“I have never, and will never, subscribe to ducking or dodging interviews on matters that concern promoting and defending the administration I was appointed to serve,” he said. “It is the least of what is required of me.”

Bwala also expressed interest in returning to the programme for another discussion. He said future conversations should focus on the government’s policies and achievements rather than his past political comments.

“I am glad that by then questions about my past will no longer be news so that we can focus on our administration’s policies, programs and what we have achieved so far,” he said.

Despite his criticism of how the interview was conducted, Bwala spoke positively about the Al Jazeera host.

He described Hassan as “arguably the best debater on the planet” and said he still respects and admires him.