The Nigerian political landscape is often marked by intricate power games, rivalries, and quiet dismissals masked as resignations. The case of Ajuri Ngelale, former Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Publicity, mirrors this pattern in a way that is all too familiar. His abrupt resignation, citing a “vexatious medical situation” in his family, was first narrated by Sade Owoyemi and published on the 7th of October 2024. While Ngelale’s public explanation for his departure may have provided a respectable exit, sources close to the presidency reveal that it was far from a voluntary resignation — he was, in fact, dismissed.
People close to the President and a significant number of APC faithful considered Ngelale ineffective, believing the President required a more outspoken and assertive spokesman. His ousting was not just about family matters; it reflected deeper dissatisfaction with his performance within political circles.
Behind the curtains, Ngelale’s downfall was the result of a long-standing feud with Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. The rivalry between the two was not new, but it reached a tipping point, with Ngelale losing the political battle. His ousting was a classic example of a power struggle that eventually forced him out of office, despite his influence and strong backing from key players like Seyi Tinubu and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.
**Similar Tales in Nigeria’s Power Politics**
This narrative of political power play is not an isolated case. In the annals of Nigeria’s political history, similar stories of high-ranking officials losing out in turf wars abound. A prominent example is the infamous fallout between former Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, during the Goodluck Jonathan administration. The two powerful women were often at loggerheads, with Okonjo-Iweala pushing for reforms in fiscal policies, while Alison-Madueke was seen as resistant to the changes. The eventual outcome was a fractured cabinet, where neither was fully in control, resulting in Okonjo-Iweala stepping back from key policy discussions towards the end of the administration.
Similarly, the dismissal of Babatunde Fowler, former chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), provides another insight into the ruthless nature of Nigerian politics. Despite his initial successes in boosting tax revenues and earning praise from the international community, Fowler found himself sidelined by competing interests within the government. Rumors of disagreements with then Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, over tax policies and internal revenue projections fueled his exit.
Ngelale’s departure, much like these examples, reflects the delicate balance of power in the Nigerian presidency. Despite his proximity to the seat of power, his influence could not withstand the internal strife that had been brewing since the early days of President Tinubu’s administration.
**Feud and Firing: The Final Blow**
According to the narrative first published by Sade Owoyemi on the 7th of October 2024, the issue stemmed from a rivalry that was exacerbated by unclear boundaries between Ngelale’s and Onanuga’s roles. Both men held Special Adviser titles, but their job descriptions overlapped, causing confusion among civil servants and aides within the Villa. Ngelale, backed by Seyi Tinubu, reportedly wielded significant influence, using his position to block Onanuga from gaining traction within the presidential media team. Sources even claim that for months, Onanuga operated without an official office, forced to squat in spaces vacated by other aides.
This feud reached a breaking point when Ngelale allegedly issued directives that no communication from Onanuga could be released without his approval. Such control not only frustrated Onanuga but also affected the smooth functioning of the presidency’s media strategy. Villa staff began to notice how the feud was stifling the publicity of President Tinubu’s achievements, which eventually led to Ngelale’s dismissal.
For many within the presidency, it became increasingly evident that Ngelale’s inability to foster a harmonious working relationship with the media and key players like Onanuga was undermining his own effectiveness. Despite his initial standing as a favorite of the President’s inner circle, it was only a matter of time before the power dynamics shifted against him.
**End of the Road**
Ngelale’s resignation announcement, which he claimed was due to personal reasons, came after his desperate pleas for a soft landing. His removal, however, points to a broader issue within the Nigerian political system, where alliances can shift overnight and even the most connected figures can be swiftly removed from the corridors of power.
As in previous political tussles, Ngelale’s exit was a reminder that in Nigerian politics, influence is fleeting, and only those who master the game can remain standing. His story, while wrapped in official resignation letters and media statements, is a classic tale of power, ambition, and the internal battles that often define the fate of public officials.
The question remains: who will be the next to fall in Nigeria’s complex power game?
Mohammed Bello Doka is a journalist and writer with Abuja Network News.
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