You’re On Your Own – Ngelale Counters Onanuga On Tinubu’s Anniversary Speech
BY OUR CORRESPONDENT – Ahead of today’s first year anniversary speech by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, confusion is trailing the positions taken by two presidential spokesmen, Bayo Onanuga, and Ajuri Ngelale
Both contradicted themselves on the presidency’s arrangements for the President to speak on his first anniversary in office.
It emerged on Tuesday that in commemoration of the anniversary, the two presidential media aides issued contradictory statements as President Tinubu, who was sworn-in on 29th May 2023, clocks one year in office, on Wednesday.
Onanuga had claimed that President Tinubu would be shunning the age-long tradition of nationwide broadcast to address a joint session of the National Assembly, but Ngelale promptly debunked the statement as being incorrect in all materials particular.
Ngelale’s statement refuting Onanuga’s claims stated thus; “In furtherance of his commitment to delivering good governance, President Bola Tinubu has embarked on the inauguration of strategic projects across the country.
“More transformative projects will be inaugurated by President Tinubu’s administration for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“In view of public commentary concerning the President delivering a speech before a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly tomorrow, May 29, 2024, it is important to state that this information is false and unauthorized as the Office of the President was not involved in the planning of the event”.
This statement by Ngelale effectively punctured Onanuga’s position that; “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not make a broadcast to the nation on Wednesday to celebrate his first anniversary as the leader of Nigeria.
“Instead, the President will address a joint session of the National Assembly, which has lined up a programme to commemorate 25 years of the nation’s democratic journey at both the executive and legislative levels.
“President Tinubu’s speech will dwell on the achievements of his administration and Nigeria’s democracy since the military ceded power in 1999.
“Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, former speaker of the House of Representatives and now President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila are all lined up to address the parliament.”
Furthermore, Onanuga had posited thus; “Also lined up to speak is the former military ruler, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who handed over power to civilian administration in 1999.
“At the end of the speeches, President Tinubu will commission the National Assembly Library and Resource Center, now to be known as Bola Ahmed Tinubu Building.”
As of press time, there was no other official statement to explain the contradictions as expressed by the two presidential aides concerning the May 29 programme of Mr President.
