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Fresh Facts Emerge on Ajuri Ngelale’s ‘Resignation’ from Tinubu’s Govt

Published

3 months ago

Sep 8, 2024.

Ajuri Ngelale, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, did not resign due to a “vexatious medical situation” in his family, as he initially claimed.

According to the Foundation of Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Ngelale’s resignation was actually a result of being dismissed by the presidency.

Sources revealed that Ngelale, who also served as the special presidential envoy on climate action, requested a softer exit and was granted the opportunity to publicly resign instead of facing outright dismissal.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Ngelale’s resignation announcement on Saturday cited “medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family” as the reason for his departure.

Tinubu and Ajuri Ngelale

He had said in a statement: “On Friday, I submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.

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“While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonising decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.”

However, insiders disclosed that Ngelale’s exit stemmed from internal power struggles with Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. Ngelale, who was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari, reportedly had conflicts with Onanuga and other senior officials, which led to his dismissal.

Ngelale, 38, and Onanuga, 67, had a strained relationship that worsened after Tinubu’s election. Ngelale, who began his career with Africa Independent Television (AIT) in the 2000s, viewed himself as superior to Onanuga, a former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who started his career in the 1980s.

Ajur Ngelale

The confusion over their roles—both being special advisers—created administrative challenges. Traditionally, civil service structures recognized clear hierarchies, which were blurred in this case. Ngelale’s perceived seniority was reinforced by his connections with President Tinubu’s son, Seyi, and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.

Efforts by top appointees and ministers to mediate the conflict were unsuccessful, with Ngelale reportedly avoiding peace talks proposed by Information Minister Mohammed Idris Malagi. Additionally, Ngelale’s reluctance to cooperate with Onanuga and his problematic interactions with the media contributed to his eventual departure.