News is circulating the media that the president spokesman quit his job, according to some report 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.
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”. as earlier reported by 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”. 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. 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.
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