By Abiola Olawale
Several Nigerians on social media have begun to commend the Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, for coming out the top of the media war with his colleague, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
The New Diplomat reports that Onanuga and Ngelale engaged in a media face-off over the visit of President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly.
Onanuga had, in a statement, said that the president would address a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
He also revealed that the President would not broadcast to the nation over his first anniversary in office.
Onanuga had said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not broadcast to the nation on Wednesday to celebrate his first anniversary as the leader of Nigeria.
“Instead, the President will address a joint session of the National Assembly, which has lined up a programme to commemorate 25 years of the nation’s democratic journey at both the executive and legislative levels.
However, Ngelale, in a separate statement, described Onanuga’s statement as false, and unauthorised, distancing the office of President from such a report.
Ngelale had claimed that the President would not be visiting the National Assembly on the first anniversary of his presidency.
However, Tinubu appeared before a Joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The visit of the President brought a twist to the spectacle of the face-off between Onanuga and Ngelale, as Nigerians have begun to laud the latter for sticking with his statement.
Below are reactions curated from the social media:
“So Bayo Onanuga was right. “Ajuri lied.”(@Morris_monye)
“See how Bayo and Ajuri are disgracing this administration. No proper chain of communication; just cut and join and spice it up with tribal vitriols. This happens when the president is not close to his people. What exactly is so difficult for Tinubu to address Nigerians directly?” (@harmless12345).
“So Bayo Onanuga said PBAT will go to the NASS for a State of the Nation, Ajuri Ngelale said it’s a lie, no such plan by the Villa on May 29. And then Voila, PBAT goes to the NASS, addresses a joint session and even sang the new National Anthem. Ajuri Ngelale has been let down!” (@azuosumili).
“Please somebody should help me check if High Chief @AjuriNgelale is anywhere near the @nassnigeria, because the President @officialABAT is already addressing the joint sitting. How did Ajuri, same guy we all love right from @channelstv, get to this point?” (@SamuelOmogor).
