Details have emerged regarding Ajuri Ngelale’s resignation as spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, which took effect on Saturday.
Although Ngelale cited medical issues affecting his family as the reason for his departure, PREMIUM TIMES reveals that his resignation was also driven by concerns about potential public humiliation.
In recent weeks, the presidency has been searching for a more experienced media professional to replace him, as insiders have suggested that Ngelale did not fully meet the demands of the role.
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Ngelale was managing dual roles: special adviser to the president on media and publicity, and special presidential envoy on climate action, also serving as chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
Sources reveal that the presidency recently directed Ajuri Ngelale to focus exclusively on his role in climate action, with plans to appoint a new individual as media adviser and spokesperson.
When Ngelale requested to retain the media adviser position while stepping down from climate action, the presidency declined his proposal.
Instead, Ngelale was informed that he could stay on the media team but would be under the supervision of a new appointee.
This decision, coupled with being blocked from meetings with President Tinubu and excluded from the delegation to China, reportedly unsettled Ngelale.
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President Tinubu, who assumed office last year, appointed Ajuri Ngelale as his spokesperson in August 2023, encouraging him to leverage his experience for the role.
According to government sources, Ngelale’s appointment was made on the recommendation of Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son.
However, shortly after his appointment, it became evident to President Tinubu, his son, and some cabinet members that Ngelale lacked the necessary experience, contacts, and networks for the position.
Before joining President Tinubu’s team, Ngelale served as one of the spokespersons for the All Progressives Congress’s presidential campaign council in the lead-up to the 2023 elections.
He began his journalism career in 2011 with Africa Independent Television and later worked at Channels TV, accumulating less than eight years of media experience.
Additionally, Ngelale had previously served as senior special assistant on public affairs in the office of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
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Sources within the presidency indicated that Ajuri Ngelale chose to step down from his position once he realized he could no longer access President Tinubu.
“He felt increasingly isolated, even by those who had initially supported his appointment,” one source noted.
Insiders revealed that President Tinubu and his team had anticipated a higher level of performance from Ngelale.
“Except for his occasional TV appearances, Mr Ngelale was unreachable even to journalists,” an official said. “He hardly responds to messages or return calls.”
Another official noted that the spokesperson had minimal interaction with both local and international media and struggled to gain respect from media owners, editors, and prominent journalists in Nigeria.
“It is a misnomer and a miscalculation for the President to have appointed such a junior journalist to such a senior position. It is no surprise that he could not deliver as expected,” the official said.
Last year, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) queried Mr Ngelale’s qualifications and competence as the president’s spokesperson.
The NIPR criticized Ngelale for being unsuitable for the “exalted position,” because he lacked the basic “knowledge and requisite training on public relations.”
In a statement on Saturday night, President Tinubu accepted Mr Ngelale’s exit plan and “sympathises with the circumstances that have led to this seemingly difficult decision.” Mr Tinubu extended his heartfelt prayers and best wishes to Mr Ngelale and his family during this challenging moment.
Mr Ngelale said his decision to depart was “agonising” even though it was taken after “significant consultations” with family over the past several days.
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