Details have emerged as to why Ajuri Ngelale, President Bola Tinubu's spokesman, resigned from his post on Saturday.
While Ngelale said he was stepping aside to deal with medical matters affecting his family, PREMIUM TIMES can report that he stepped down after suspecting he could be humiliated and forced out of office.
In recent weeks, the presidency has been looking for an experienced and competent media professional to replace Ngelale. According to sources within the administration, the journalist has so far not demonstrated sufficient capacity to carry out his job effectively.
Mr. Ngelale simultaneously held two key positions: Special Advisor to the President on Media and Publicity and Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action/Chair of the Presidential Steering Committee of Project Evergreen.
However, the sources said, the presidency recently ordered Ngelale to focus on his climate action role, while another person was appointed to serve as media adviser and spokesperson for the president.
But when Mr Ngelale expressed a preference to retain the media adviser post and give up the climate change role, the presidency balked.
Those familiar with the matter said he was told he could remain on the president's media team, but that it would still have to be led by a new appointee to the post.
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This exchange and subsequent developments at the presidential residence left Ngelale baffled. For weeks, he was prevented from meeting Tinubu and was also not included in the president’s delegation to China, our sources said.
President Tinubu, who came to power last year, appointed Ngelale as his spokesperson in August 2023, urging him to bring his wealth of experience to the role.
Government sources told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Ngelale was appointed on the recommendation of Seyi Tinubu, the president's son.
Seyi Tinubu
But soon after the appointment, sources said, it became clear to the president, his son and some members of his cabinet that Ngelale lacked the “experience, contacts and networks” needed for the job.
Before becoming Tinubu's media adviser, Ngelale was one of the spokespersons for the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He began his journalism career in 2011 as a newsreader at Africa Independent Television and later at Channels TV. His total media experience is less than eight years.
Mr Ngelale previously served as Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs in the office of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
From left to right: Laurent Biddiscombe, CEO, Global Clients Solutions, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Country Director for Nigeria, AFD, Xavier Muron, Nkiruka Maduekwe, Director General and CEO, National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Special Envoy of the President on Climate Change, Ajuri Ngelale, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning of Nigeria, Philippe Orliange, CEO, Geographies, AFD, Jean-Francois Hasperue, Acting Ambassador of France to Nigeria, and Abimbola Akinajo, Representative of the Governor of Lagos State and CEO, LAMATA, during the celebration of AFD’s 15th anniversary at the Wells Calton Hotels in Abuja on Thursday, June 27, 2024.
According to sources in the presidency, when Ngelale saw that he could no longer access the president, he decided to step down from office. “He basically found himself isolated even by those who had nominated him for the post,” said one of our sources.
President Tinubu and his team had expected a better performance from Mr Ngelale, sources in the presidency told PREMIUM TIMES.
“Apart from his occasional television appearances, Ngelale was inaccessible even to journalists,” said one official. “He barely responded to messages or returned calls.”
Screenshot: One of Mr Ngelale's appearances on Channels Television. [Photo Credit: Channels TV]Another official said the spokesman had little contact with local and international media and did not enjoy the respect of Nigerian media owners, editors and prominent journalists.
“It is a miscalculation and a mistake in appointment by the President to have appointed such a young journalist to such an important post. It is not surprising that he has not been able to meet expectations,” the official said.
Last year, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) questioned Ngelale's qualifications and competence as the president's spokesperson.
The NIPR said Ngelale was “unfit” to hold the “senior position” because he lacked the “basic knowledge and training necessary in public relations”.
In a statement issued on Saturday evening, President Tinubu accepted Ngelale’s plan to leave and “sympathizes with the circumstances that have led to this seemingly difficult decision.” Tinubu extended his sincere prayers and best wishes to Ngelale and her family during this difficult time.
Mr Ngelale said his decision to leave was “agonising” even though it was taken after “significant consultation” with family over the past few days.