Ajuri Ngelale, renowned for his eloquent speech and resonant voice, did not step down from his role as the special adviser to the president on media and publicity due to a family health issue, despite his claims, PulseNets has learnt. Instead, PulseNets was informed that he was dismissed by the presidency, though he was permitted to tender his resignation publicly following multiple requests for a less humiliating exit.
Ngelale, who also held the position of special presidential envoy on climate action, surprised many Nigerians on Saturday when he announced his sudden departure from office, attributing it to “medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.”
A FACE-SAVING EXIT
“On Friday, I submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President, informing him that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to address medical matters currently affecting my immediate, nuclear family,” Ngelale wrote.
“While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonising decision — involving a pause of my duties as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.”
He added that he looked “forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit,” requesting privacy for his family during this time.
However, PulseNets was informed by multiple high-ranking sources within the presidency that Ngelale’s departure was not triggered by any family health emergency. Instead, it stemmed from a power struggle with Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser on information and strategy.
LONG-STANDING FEUD WITH ONANUGA
PulseNets reported that following Bola Tinubu’s election as president in 2023, Ngelale did not get along well with Onanuga, mainly because he believed that his previous experience in government under President Muhammadu Buhari entitled him to a senior position. Having served as Buhari’s senior special adviser on public affairs since 2019, Ngelale viewed himself as Onanuga’s superior.
While Ngelale, 38, began his career at Africa Independent Television (AIT) in the 2000s, Onanuga, 67, had been a former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), starting his career in the 1980s. The problem lay in the overlap of their roles—Ngelale as special adviser on media and publicity and Onanuga as special adviser on information and strategy.
According to PulseNets sources, the confusion in civil service reporting lines complicated matters, unlike in the Buhari administration, where Femi Adesina, as special adviser on media and publicity, was clearly superior to Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant on media publicity.
BACKED BY THE PRESIDENT’S INNER CIRCLE
“Ngelale thought he was untouchable because of his backing from the president’s son, Seyi, and Femi Gbajabiamila, the chief of staff,” a source told PulseNets.
“He was dismissed earlier in the week, but following his pleas, he was allowed to resign for face-saving reasons. A public dismissal would have embarrassed not just him, but the presidency as well.”
The source also regretted the escalating situation, noting that efforts to mediate between Ngelale and Onanuga had been rebuffed by Ngelale.
“The Ngelale-Onanuga feud wasn’t a secret. Several top officials and cabinet members tried to intervene, but while Onanuga was open to discussions, Ngelale always declined, claiming he was too busy,” the source told PulseNets.
BLOCKING ONANUGA’S OFFICE
Civil servants revealed to PulseNets that, despite his formal appointment in October 2023, Onanuga had no office and was forced to “squat” in Tunde Rahman’s office until recently.
“Ngelale, due to his powerful connections, managed to secure an office for himself, leaving Onanuga without one,” the source explained.
These challenges worsened when Ngelale allegedly blocked all communications from Onanuga, instructing that no statements from Onanuga be released unless personally cleared by him. This order aggravated Onanuga and further strained their relationship, PulseNets learned.
NGELALE’S RELATIONSHIP WITH TINUBU’S INNER CIRCLE
PulseNets learnt that Ngelale’s connections with key figures like Seyi Tinubu and Gbajabiamila were instrumental in his rise. His appointment was secured after facilitating a CNN interview for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential campaign.
“Following that interview, Seyi Tinubu promised Ngelale that his father would call, and indeed, Tinubu phoned him right after the interview aired,” the source told PulseNets.
Also Read: Tinubu suspends Betta Edu as Humanitarian Affairs Minister, asks EFCC to conduct investigation —Ajuri Ngelale
THE FINAL STRAW
Ngelale’s downfall, PulseNets was told, came when senior civil servants pitched to President Tinubu that Ngelale’s tumultuous relationships—especially with the media—were affecting the president’s publicity efforts.
“Ngelale was not well-regarded by journalists or editors. Most found him arrogant and disrespectful,” a source revealed to PulseNets.
Despite attempts to reach both Ngelale and Onanuga for comments, neither responded to messages or calls, PulseNets reported.
