Ajuri Ngelale, who served as the spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, has stepped down from his position. Although Ngelale cited family medical issues as his reason for leaving, new details suggest that the resignation may have been prompted by fears of being ousted from office.
According to sources within the presidency, Ngelale’s departure followed weeks of tension and dissatisfaction with his performance. Insiders revealed that the administration had been searching for a more experienced and competent media professional to replace him.
Despite holding two key roles—Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action—Ngelale was reportedly unable to meet the demands of the media adviser position effectively.
Sources indicated that the presidency had asked Ngelale to focus solely on his climate action role, while a new media adviser would be appointed. However, Ngelale expressed a preference to remain in his media role and step down from the climate action position.
The presidency declined his request, leading to a period of isolation for Ngelale within the presidential team. Reports suggest that Ngelale was blocked from meeting President Tinubu and excluded from important delegations, including a recent trip to China.
Ngelale, who was appointed as Tinubu’s spokesperson in August 2023, was expected to bring his media experience to the role. However, concerns soon emerged regarding his qualifications and ability to manage the demands of the position.
A source close to the presidency noted, “Except for his occasional TV appearances, Mr. Ngelale was unreachable even to journalists. He hardly responds to messages or returns calls.”
Criticism of Ngelale’s appointment was not limited to the presidency. The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) previously questioned his qualifications for the role, arguing that he lacked the necessary experience and training in public relations.
Ultimately, the isolation Ngelale faced, combined with the dissatisfaction of key figures within the administration, led to his decision to step down.
An official commented, “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.”
In a statement issued on Saturday night, President Tinubu accepted Ngelale’s resignation and expressed sympathy for the circumstances that led to his departure. Tinubu extended his prayers and best wishes to Ngelale and his family during what he described as a challenging moment.
Ngelale himself described the decision to leave as “agonizing” and said it came after significant consultations with his family. His exit marks a significant development in Tinubu’s administration, as the search for a new spokesperson continues.