Paul Ibe, spokesman for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has asserted that Ajuri Ngelale’s resignation from his role as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Bola Tinubu allows a cabal, led by Bayo Onanuga, to seize complete control of the government.
Ibe characterized Onanuga as an “ethnic bigot,” reflecting tensions between the two media advisers amid reported clashes over authority and responsibilities.
Ngelale, who was responsible for daily media engagements for the president, often found himself at odds with Onanuga, who released statements independently and without Ngelale’s approval.
This discord culminated in Ngelale publicly refuting Onanuga’s claims on several occasions, highlighting a lack of cohesion within the administration.
Despite Ngelale’s official reason for stepping down being related to a medical situation affecting his family, Ibe dismissed these claims as a façade, suggesting that internal conflicts and Onanuga’s perceived superiority played significant roles in Ngelale’s exit. Ibe emphasized that Ngelale’s departure would not improve the administration’s image, which he described as “tarnished” and “dysfunctional.”
Ibe further criticized the Tinubu administration for its dishonesty and inability to address pressing national issues, including rising costs of living and rampant insecurity. He argued that Ngelale’s resignation underscores a loss of control within the presidency, leaving it vulnerable to a faction aligned with Onanuga, whose views allegedly align more closely with Tinubu’s than Ngelale’s.
The tensions between Ngelale and Onanuga reflect deeper issues within Tinubu’s government, raising questions about the administration’s effectiveness and integrity in handling Nigeria’s challenges.
