By Abiola Olawale
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, has played down speculations that there is division or confusion among the ranks of the presidential spokespersons.
Ngalele, who spoke with the press on Sunday, May 2, 2024, said he respects his elder colleague, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The New Diplomat reports that there seems to be a communication gap between Ngelale and Onanuga. Speculations emerged that there might be a division between the two aides as they released separate statements about the President’s activities marking his one year in office.
While Onanuga said the Tinubu would deliver a speech to a joint sitting of the National Assembly on May 31, to commemorate the anniversary, Ngelale issued a counter-statement, insisting that Tinubu would not address the lawmakers.
However, addressing the situation, Ngelale said he is saddened by some of the commentaries attempting to create confusion and division within the office of the President.
He said: “I have been saddened by some of the commentary attempting to create confusion and division within the office of the President, in respect to me and a very respected elder colleague, Bayo Onanuga.
“I want to be very clear that when I was somewhere in primary school, Onanuga was risking his life fighting against murderous oppressors on the streets of Lagos.
“He was defending the rights of Nigerians to be able to vote. Anybody trying to create the impression that I see myself as on par or equal with him should stop the conversation. Onanuga is somebody I revere a lot.”
