Amidst speculations, presidency responds on Ajuri Ngelale’s resignation memo

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

In the midst of several disbelief to the health reason given by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity Ajuri Ngelale, as reason for taking indefinite leave from the government, presidency has reacted.

In it’s response, the Nigerian Presidency confirmed that President Bola Tinubu has received a memo from Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and the Official Spokesperson of the President, stating his reasons as personal and in account of health reasons.

The presidency in a statement on September 7, 2024, shared via its WhatsApp platform has accepts Ngelale’s reasons for the leave, fully understands them, and sympathizes with the circumstances that have led to his decision and has wished him well.
Ngelale in his memo dated September 7, 2024 disclosed that he has tendered an indefinite leave of absence from national service stated that his decision was on the grounds of family medical concerns.

Ajuri, who also serves as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen, stated that his choice was based on pressing, undisclosed health issues.
“While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision—entailing a pause in my duties as Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action; and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen—was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days, as a vexing medical situation has worsened at home,” he stated.

According to the Presidency, the President has extended his heartfelt prayers and best wishes to Ngelale and his family during this challenging time, hoping for a speedy recovery and full restoration to the health concerns.

The statement, signed by the “Presidency,” partly reads:

“The President acknowledges his tireless efforts and dedication in serving the nation and thanks him for the remarkable contributions he has made in his various capacities, particularly in advancing national discourse and leading efforts on climate action and other key initiatives.

“The President wishes him well in all his future endeavours.

“During this period, we kindly ask that the privacy of Chief Ngelale and his family be respected.”
Ngelale previously served as Senior Special Adviser on Public Affairs to former President Muhammadu Buhari and as a spokesperson for the Bola Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 Nigerian presidential elections.

Prior to his political appointments, he worked as a senior reporter and presenter at Africa Independent Television and Channels Television.

In politics, Ngelale played a significant role in presenting Tinubu positively to Nigerians and the international community through his press releases and media interviews.

Another significant role he played under Tinubu was as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, an office created to advance the federal government’s climate and green economic initiatives.
The established Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions is responsible for coordinating and overseeing all policies and programs related to climate action and green economic development.
The committee comprises notable figures from various sectors, including government officials, CEOs of institutions, and representatives from key ministries.
In the midst of these, there are speculations that he has been given soft landing, only allowed to publicly resign after his repeated pleas for a soft landing over his ceaseless rift with Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy.

Ngelale it will also be recalled had reacted that Onanuga was spreading lies, for posting that the President was going to address the joint session of NASS on May 29 2024, wrote that Onanuga’s release was ‘false and unauthorised’.

Whereas in another report, Kenneth Okonkwo, Nollywood actor and politician revealed that the sudden exit of Ngelale was predicted on their conflicting values.
Maintained that his departure was not as a result of his family medical issues but based on his inability to compromise his integrity and publicly lie, which he believes is a requirement to work in Tinubu’s government.