Fresh revelation have emerged as to why the special adviser to the President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, resigned.
Although Ngelale had cited “medical matters” as the reason for his “leave of absence”, Blueprint gathered that Ngele was only given a soft-landing to quit as presidential spokesman to save him from the shame of being’sacked’.
Ngelale, who was also the special presidential envoy on climate action, stunned Nigerians on Saturday morning when he announced his abrupt exit from office.
In a statement issued by the Presidency on Saturday, Ngelale said he had submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, informing him of his plan to proceed on indefinite leave.
Ngelale added that he has stepped down as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
According to Ngelale, he stepped down from his role to deal with medical matters presently affecting his nuclear family.
Blueprint gathered that Ngelale’s exit was not triggered by a family health emergency, but rather his loss in a power tussle with Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
“He was fired; I became aware of this on Tuesday, but I won’t rule out the possibility that it happened earlier. When he got the letter, he started to plead to be allowed to resign as a soft landing. He was eventually given a soft landing, which is understandable. News of his sacking in public would have thoroughly embarrassed not just Ngelale but the presidency too, ” a source said.
Blueprint also gathered that Ngelale was also on collision course with other media aides working for the president for allegedly sidelining them in the running of the affairs of the office.
