19 November 2024
The announcement on Monday, by the newly appointed Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, describing himself as the new presidential spokesman, seems not to have sat well with the Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Bwala, while addressing the State House correspondents, had stated that he has taken over the role of former Presidential aide, Ajuri Ngelale, who was the official spokesperson of President Tinubu.
However, there had been some confusion as the special adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has been the presidential spokesman since the exit of Ngelale Ajuri and had even moved to the office previously occupied by Ajuri at the presidential villa.
Fielding questions from state house correspondent, about his role, Bwala said that his focus was solely on supporting Tinubu’s agenda.
He also acknowledged that he has taken over the role of his predecessor, Ngelale, but that his main concern was not to define or overshadow the responsibilities of others within the administration.
“There is no issue as to the differences in terms of the responsibility; everybody knows his responsibility.
“I only came to introduce myself to you and the role that was given to me by Mr. President. I told you that role was once occupied by Ajuri Ngelale. But for God’s sake, we are all colleagues.
“We are not particularly bothered about who is this who is that. We are working to achieve the mandate of Mr. President.”
But in a contrary statement released late on Monday night, special adviser to the president on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga stated that there is no single spokesperson for President Tinubu.
READ MORE; Presidency tackles Obasanjo over comments on Tinubu’s administration.
According to Onanuga, the president has appointed three spokespersons as against the previous arrangement where Ajuri Ngelale acted alone and also announced a change in the job description of Bwala.
The veteran journalist, said Bwala, is now the Special Adviser on Policy Communications and no longer the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications.
His statement reads: “President Bola Tinubu has re-designated the positions of two recently appointed officials in the State House media and communications team to enhance efficiency within the government’s communication machinery.
Accordingly, Mr. Sunday Dare – hitherto Special Adviser on Public Communication and National Orientation is now Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications, while Mr. Daniel Bwala who was announced last week as Special Adviser, Media and Public Communication, is now special adviser Policy Communication.
“These appointments, along with the existing role of Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, underscore that there is no single individual spokesperson for the Presidency.
“Instead, all the three Special Advisers will collectively serve as spokespersons for the government.
