Ngelale fell to the whims, caprices of political juggernauts — Source

Barely days after Presidential Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, turned in his letter which sought permission for a leave of absence to exit the stage and proceed to attend to his “nuclear family needs”, Nigerians are yet to get “full disclosures”, which characterises the principles underpinning good governance and constitutional democracy.

Recall that the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity last Saturday stepped aside from the exalted position and proceeded for an indefinite leave of absence citing family health concerns.

Characteristically, Nigerians were stunned when news of the unusual decision filtered in, and that Ngelale had already submitted a memo to the office of the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila notifying him of his intention.

Ngelale had announced the decision to the public via an email he made available to newsmen, where he attributed the action to pressing “medical matters” affecting his immediate and nuclear family.”

President Tinubu later acknowledged receipt and acceptance of Ngelale’s request. He proceeded to urge the public to respect the Spokesman’s request for privacy.

The development however has ignited an avalanche of unofficial opinions and submissions which have continued to fly from left, right and centre in the public space as the real reasons d’etre for Ngelale’s unceremonious exit.

Aso Villa watchers are in awe as to why a Presidential Spokesman who once basked with swagger as he carried on with his duties including that of Special Presidential Envoy on climate change, will curiously exit the stage particularly during this time of uncertainties dogging the presidency under his principal.

Also, others who are concerned with happenings in the seat of government have argued on the need for the Presidency to come to terms with the reality that governance is a serious business and not political lotteries.

Many therefore, submit that “under the Conditions of Service of political appointees, there is no provision for a so-called leave of absence.”

But weighing in, a rights activist, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko at the weekend, declared with finality that “the government is hiding some facts, and the gentleman is also not forthright with the correct information. His reasons for the so-called indefinite leave of absence don’t sit well with sound reasoning and good logic.

“If his family members have health challenges, how will his indefinite leave of absence bring a resolution to that? Is he a medical doctor?”

Onwubiko who is National Coordinator of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) therefore urged the Presidency to respect the freedom of information and the principles of FULL DISCLOSURES, which characterises the principles underpinning good governance and constitutional democracy.

“If this government respects these tenets of democracy, then Nigerians should be informed precisely what is going on with this presidential adviser because under his condition of service and indeed under the CONDITIONS OF SERVICES of political appointees, there is no provision for a so-called leave of absence.

“The immediate past presidential spokesman is not a civil servant, so how will he embark on a leave of absence? The government must come to the realisation that governance is a serious business and not political lottery.

“The decision by this government to conceal the real status of his (Ngelale) disengagement is disrespectful and unconstitutional.”

However, an insider who is familiar with the workings in the Presidency, told The Guardian, weekend, that the erstwhile presidential spokesman was a media adviser who lacked sufficient knowledge in the nuances that characterise media practice, the reason he could not weather the storm, hence he fell to the whims and caprices of political juggernauts in the corridor of power.

“Unless you’re a well grounded professional that they know they can’t toy with, particularly if your boss body language and your personality shows them you are not a pushover,” the source said.

The source continued: “if Mr Ngelale moderated his independence, confidence and mien, he would have weathered the storm better. But it was difficult for him because he was up against juggernauts including “ex-number 4 man in the nation, an ex Editor-in-Chief, an ex-Editor and a retinue of highly placed Nigerians who may have perceived him as just a child in comparison.”

“Considering the influence and affluence attached to the office of the SA Media, it must have been a difficult decision for Mr Ngelale to take.

“Ordinarily, the position is a difficult and thankless one. Nonetheless, many journalists would crave to be there. But like all media jobs, the appointee must have a good rapport with his boss. This is because in that position you are cynosure of all eyes; and it is not everyone, especially the big men you hob-nob with on a daily basis that will accord you respect.

“However, now that the deed has been done, President Tinubu would do well to appoint somebody who is a thorough-bred professional whom he can bond with personally and professionally. The person must also be modest and sufficiently knowledgeable about the media industry.

“The person for the job may not be personally known to the President, but his pedigree should demonstrate that he is capable of loyalty, commitment and dedication to his principal. Mr President should also create an avenue for less conflict of interests.

“On the part of the SA, he must command the respect of his colleagues, be at their beck and call, have burnished credentials and maturity. He should, and this is important, be familiar with the security atmosphere of the Presidential Villa.

“If need be, he should have been a reporter in the villa for a period and understand the nexus between top level security and media ministrations.

“In summary, he must be very mature, amply qualified with national exposure in the media industry and the security sector.

Meanwhile, strong indications have emerged that President Tinubu may have decided to wield the big stick by sacking some members of his cabinet who are believed to be under-performing and attracting a backlash to his government policies.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source who is close to the presidency revealed that the recent exit of the erstwhile presidential spokesman may be one of such subtle cleansing methods which the President plans to adopt to weed out the administration of non-performing members in the next few days.

Tinubu is also believed to have made up his mind to inject fresh steam into his administration shortly after he returned from Beijing, China, where he had gone to attend the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation FOCAC.

He is likely to leave for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) scheduled to take place in New York next week.

The source also hinted that this week may see the execution of these plans before he leaves for the United States.

According to the source who is in a position to know, already some of the cabinet members in the administration who clearly have underperformed are jittery over who the President’s hammer would fall on in a few days from now.