Details have emerged regarding why Ajuri Ngelale, the spokesman for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stepped down from his position on Saturday.
While Ngelale stated that he was stepping aside to address medical matters affecting his family, Premium Times has reported that he left due to suspicions that he might be forced out of office.
In recent weeks, the presidency has been seeking an experienced and capable media professional to replace Ngelale. Insiders from the administration claim that he has not demonstrated the necessary skills to fulfill the role effectively.
Ngelale held two significant positions simultaneously—special adviser to the president on media and publicity, and special presidential envoy on climate action, where he chaired the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
However, sources indicate that the presidency recently instructed Ngelale to concentrate on his climate action role while appointing someone else to serve as media adviser and spokesman for the president.
When Ngelale expressed a desire to keep the media adviser position while stepping down from the climate role, the presidency refused his request.
Those familiar with the situation reported that he was told he could remain on the president’s media team but would be subordinate to a new appointee for the spokesman role.
This exchange and the subsequent events in the presidential villa unsettled Ngelale. For weeks, he was barred from meeting President Tinubu and was also excluded from the president’s delegation to China, according to sources cited by Premium Times.
President Tinubu, who took office last year, appointed Ngelale as his spokesman in August 2023, urging him to leverage his experiences for the role.
Government sources revealed that Ngelale was appointed on the recommendation of Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son.
However, soon after his appointment, it became evident to the president, his son, and members of his cabinet that Ngelale lacked the necessary “experience, contacts, and networks” for the job.
Before becoming Mr. Tinubu’s media adviser, Ngelale served as one of the spokespersons for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council during the 2023 general elections.
Ngelale began his journalism career after his service year in 2011, first as a broadcaster with Africa Independent Television and later with Channels TV.
He previously served as senior special assistant on public affairs in the office of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Sources within the presidency reported that when Ngelale realized he could no longer access the president, he chose to withdraw from his position. “He was virtually isolated, even by those who had supported his appointment,” one source stated.
President Tinubu and his team expected better performance from Ngelale, as insiders noted.
“Except for his occasional TV appearances, Mr. Ngelale was difficult to reach, even for journalists,” an official explained. “He rarely responded to messages or returned calls.”
Another official revealed that Ngelale had minimal interaction with local and international media, commanding little respect from media owners, editors, and prominent journalists in Nigeria.
“It was a mistake and a miscalculation for the president to appoint such a junior journalist to such a senior role. It’s no surprise he couldn’t deliver as expected,” the official stated.
Last year, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) questioned Ngelale’s qualifications and competence for the spokesman role.
The NIPR ruled that Ngelale was not “fit” to hold such an “exalted position” because he lacked the basic “knowledge and requisite training in public relations.”
In a statement on Saturday night, President Tinubu acknowledged Ngelale’s decision to step down and expressed sympathy for the circumstances that led to this difficult choice.
Tinubu extended his heartfelt prayers and best wishes to Ngelale and his family during this challenging time.
Ngelale described his decision to resign as “agonizing,” although it was made after “significant consultations” with his family over several days.
