One Year Anniversary Event: Drama As Tinubu’s Top Two Appointees Clash

There’s been confusion surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s anticipated one anniversary address, scheduled for today, May 29, as his two key spokespersons – Ajuri Ngelale and Bayo Onanuga – have issued conflicting statements.

Tinubu marks his one-year since assuming office as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2023, in Abuja. In observance of President Tinubu’s inaugural anniversary, both spokespersons released contradictory remarks.

Earlier this week, Onanuga, the President’s special adviser on information and strategy, stated that Tinubu wouldn’t deliver a traditional nationwide broadcast. Instead, he would address a joint session of the National Assembly.

Quoting Onanuga, “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…”

Onanuga outlined that Tinubu’s speech would focus on his administration’s accomplishments and Nigeria’s democratic progress since 1999.

Meanwhile, Ngelale, the President’s special adviser on media and publicity, refuted Onanuga’s assertion, labeling it as “false.”

Ngelale said, “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.”

Neither the President nor any other senior appointee has reacted to the conflicting releases. Meanwhile, Nigerians are waiting to see which one the President will do between what his two spokespersons said.