Ajuri Ngelale: 2 Mistakes That Led Tinubu’s Spokesman to Quit His Job

• Ajuri Ngelale, the official spokesperson to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, embarked on an indefinite leave of absence on Saturday, September 7
• Although, he said he was stepping down to attend to health matters, a new report disclosed that the journalist no longer had the confidence of his principal, allegedly leading to his decision to quit
• Before his adventure in the presidency where he worked with former President Muhammadu Buhari and the incumbent, Tinubu, Ngelale was a reporter and presenter at AIT and Channels TV

Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance.

Aso Villa, Abuja – Ajuri Ngelale announced that he was stepping aside from his job as the official spokesperson of President Bola Tinubu and the special presidential envoy on climate action.

Announcing that he was proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence on Saturday, September 7, Ngelale said it was for health reasons “in the nuclear family”.

Legit.ng gathered that there is indeed a medical issue in his family but it was not the primary reason for his decision to “step aside”.

The immediate trigger, according to The Cable in a report on Sunday, September 8, was the writing on the wall that his days were numbered. The online newspaper said Ngelale no longer had unfettered access to the president.

An insider divulged:

“Ajuri was asked to pick between being presidential spokesman and climate change ambassador. He said he should be allowed to think over it. He came back to pick presidential spokesman but he was told that he would need supervision as it was obvious he needed help.”

The “help” he needed had been constantly highlighted to President Tinubu, some of which included mistakes in his press statements, sources said.

Firstly, he wrongly announced in September 2023 that Tinubu was the first African president to ring the closing bell at Nasdaq.

Secondly, he prematurely announced the decision of the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to lift the visa ban on Nigeria.

The government was particularly embarrassed by the media backlash on each occasion, The Cable noted.

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Tinubu reacts as Ngelale goes on leave

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Tinubu accepted the decision of his special adviser on media and publicity, Ngelale, to proceed on an indefinite leave of absence ‘due to family health issues’.

In a statement released Saturday evening, September 7, the presidency said Tinubu sympathised with the circumstances leading to Ngelale’s decision.

The presidency stated that Tinubu accepts Ngelale’s reasons for the leave and hopes for a speedy recovery and full restoration to health. The president also thanked Ngelale for his remarkable contributions in advancing national discourse and leading efforts on climate action.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng