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The resignation of Ajuri Ngelale as the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity has sparked a flurry of speculations within the corridors of power regarding his potential successor.
Ngelale stepped down, citing a “vexatious medical situation” in his family.
However, reports from multiple sources suggest that his exit was less voluntary, hinting at a dismissal following a series of pleas for a graceful exit.
The backdrop to Ngelale’s departure involves an alleged power struggle with Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, which reportedly affected Ngelale’s effectiveness and standing within the presidential villa.
Despite Ngelale’s tumultuous exit, Onanuga has not been tipped as his successor, leaving the pivotal role unexpectedly open.
According to FIJ, there are five favourites to replace Ngelale.
DANIEL BWALA
“Daniel Bwala, former spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar 2023 presidential election campaign, is one of at least four names that have been mentioned ‘in the room’,” a party source told FIJ on Tuesday.
As spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign organisation, Bwala was one of Tinubu’s fiercest critics until mid-2023 after the former Lagos governor’s emergence as president.
His attempts to ingratiate himself with the president became publicly noticeable in January 2024 when he paid a visit to the president at the villa, and followed it up with another in France, within three weeks. He has since left the PDP and confirmed his commitment to the Tinubu administration.
Previously in the APC, Bwala supported Tinubu during the ruling party’s presidential primary but left for the rival PDP in protest against APC’s Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket.
SUNDAY DARE
FIJ understands that Sunday Dare is one of the names being considered for the job.
An accomplished journalist, he boasts extensive contacts at home and abroad respectively, having been part of the founding team of weekly magazines The News and Tempo, and having worked in the United States and embarked on mid-career journalism fellowships at prestigious institutions University of Oxford and Harvard University.
“He may not be number one on the list but his chances are high,” said FIJ’s source. “He has been with Tinubu for decades and he also understands the villa; remember he was sports minister in the second half of Buhari’s tenure.”
TUNDE RAHMAN
As of Tuesday, Tunde Rahman, appointed by Tinubu in July 2023 as senior special assistant to the president on media affairs, leads the race for the vacant position.
Rahman is arguably the candidate with the deepest contacts base in the Nigerian media, having worked in a number of newsrooms: the famed Daily Times Newspaper, Punch, and ThisDay, where he rose to become editor before founding The Western Post.
“Rahman has been with the president for a very long time; he wants the job and will probably get it,” said FIJ’s source. “But there are also powerful forces who do not want him because of his eccentricity. But he is the favourite. If nothing changes, he will likely get the job.”
ABDULAZIZ ABDULAZIZ
Currently, the senior special assistant to the president on print media, AbdulAziz AbdulAziz made his name by writing the series of investigative reports that ousted Kemi Adeosun from office as finance minister in 2018 on account of her forged NYSC certificate, which also explains the public opprobrium that welcomed his appointment as SSA to a president with contestable identity and controversial academic records.
But take nothing away from AbdulAziz’s journalistic accomplishments, which include notable awards at home and abroad. A former media aide to the then Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman Nuhu Ribadu, who is now national security adviser, Abdulaziz was deputy general editor of Daily Trust before he was poached by Tinubu.
“AbdulAziz wants the job,” said FIJ’s source, which is no secret, considering that the rumpus over Ngelale’s controversial exit hadn’t yet thawed when an article began circulating about his suitability for the job.
“His name has been mentioned in the room, too. But will he get it? His contacts base is basically in northern Nigeria, and this will count against him.”
ADERONKE BELLO
Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello has spent more time in politics than she probably did in journalism, but she made the longlist of the 2016 CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards, having worked at platforms including Premium Times and the then Naij (now Legit).
Ogunleye-Bello is the founder of Fame Foundation, an Abuja-based non-governmental organisation that works to advance the social, emotional and economic well-being of women and girls. She was special assistant on sustainable development goals/new media to the FCT minister of state, and currently serves as technical assistant on broadcast media at the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
“That’s the only lady whose name has been mentioned in the room,” said FIJ’s source. “She has contacts in several Nigerian newsrooms but she detests the limelight and will rather be in her corner; that’s not spokesperson personality. She herself does not want the job.”
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