EXCLUSIVE: Actual purpose Ajuri Ngelale stepped down as Tinubu’s spokesperson

Particulars have emerged relating to why Ajuri Ngelale, the spokesperson of President Bola Tinubu, stepped down from his place on Saturday.

Whereas Mr Ngelale stated he was stepping apart to cope with medical issues affecting his household, PREMIUM TIMES can report that he left the place after he grew to become suspicious that he might be humiliated out of workplace.

The presidency has been looking for an skilled and competent media skilled to exchange Mr Ngelale previously weeks. Administration insiders say the journalist has to date didn’t display ample capability to successfully ship on the job.

Mr Ngelale held two key positions concurrently – particular adviser to the president on media and publicity and particular presidential envoy on local weather motion/ chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Venture Evergreen.

Nonetheless, sources stated, the presidency just lately directed Mr Ngelale to give attention to his local weather motion position whereas one other particular person is appointed to function media adviser and spokesperson to the president.

However when Mr Ngelale expressed a choice to retain the media adviser place whereas stepping down from the Local weather change position, the presidency declined.

These accustomed to the matter stated he was informed he may stay on the president’s media crew however that he would nonetheless need to be bossed by a brand new appointee to the place.

This change and subsequent occasions that occurred within the presidential villa rattled Mr Ngelale. For weeks, he was blocked from assembly Mr Tinubu and was additionally not included within the president’s delegation to China, our sources stated.

President Tinubu, who got here to energy final yr, appointed Mr Ngelale as his spokesperson in August 2023, urging him to convey his wealth of expertise to the project.

Authorities sources informed PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Ngelale was appointed on the advice of Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son.

However not lengthy after the appointment, sources stated it grew to become clear to the president, his son and a few members of his cupboard that Mr Ngelale lacked the requisite “expertise, contacts and networks” wanted for the job.

Earlier than changing into Mr Tinubu’s media adviser, Mr Ngelale was one of many spokespersons for the presidential marketing campaign council of the All Progressives Congress forward of the 2023 basic elections.

He began his journalism profession in 2011 as a broadcaster with the Africa Impartial Tv and later with Channels TV. His whole media expertise is under eight years.

Mr Ngelale beforehand served as senior particular assistant on public affairs within the workplace of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Sources within the presidency stated when Mr Ngelale noticed that he may now not entry the president, he determined to withdraw from the job. “He was principally remoted even by those that introduced him to take the place,” one in all our sources stated.

President Tinubu and his crew anticipated higher efficiency from Mr Ngelale, presidency insiders informed PREMIUM TIMES.

“Aside from his occasional TV appearances, Mr Ngelale was unreachable even to journalists,” an official stated. “He hardly responds to messages or return calls.”

One other official stated the spokesperson had little contact with native and worldwide media and commanded little respect from media homeowners, editors, and main journalists in Nigeria.

“It’s a misnomer and a miscalculation for the President to have appointed such a junior journalist to such a senior place. It’s no shock that he couldn’t ship as anticipated,” the official stated.

Final yr, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) queried Mr Ngelale’s {qualifications} and competence because the president’s spokesperson.

The NIPR stated Mr Ngelale was not ‘match’ to carry that “exalted place” as a result of he lacked the fundamental “information and requisite coaching on public relations.”

In a press release on Saturday night time, President Tinubu accepted Mr Ngelale’s exit plan and “sympathises with the circumstances which have led to this seemingly tough resolution.” Mr Tinubu prolonged his heartfelt prayers and greatest needs to Mr Ngelale and his household throughout this difficult second.

Mr Ngelale stated his resolution to depart was “agonising” despite the fact that it was taken after “important consultations” with household over the previous a number of days.