Aso Rock got a brilliant spokesman in Ajuri Ngelale

On taking office as President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu dismantled some of the structures that defined the administration of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.

Given their shared political affiliation, it would have been reasonable to assume that his continuity campaign would include keeping some of his predecessor’s cabinet members, much like how Buhari himself retained the governor of the central bank of who was appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan. To everyone’s surprise, President Tinubu sacked boards of federal parastatals, heads of some agencies, and government-owned businesses.

Similar changes were noted with the security chiefs as President Tinubu replaced the ones appointed by his predecessors, appointed new service chiefs to champion his security initiative.

However, despite his mass rejection of hands appointed by his predecessor, Tinubu went ahead to draft Ajuri Ngelale, a Nigerian-German journalist, into his cabinet.

Mr Ngelale is one of the very few brilliant brains that Tinubu drafted into his administration from the previous government even as he continued to rid his administration of the individuals appointed by his predecessor.

PoliticsNow will beams the light on the frontliner of the Tinubu’s communication team, who also served under the Muhammadu Buhari led government.

Many might be wondering why Tinubu chose to settle for Mr Ngelale while rejecting other appointees from his predecessor’s administration.

Mr Ngelale after serving under ex-president Muhammadu Buhari as the Senior Special Assistant on Public affairs, has been appointed by President Tinubu to serve as the official spokesperson to the president.

Known for his belief in freedom of information and unfettered media access to information, Mr Ngelale had on assuming his position as Tinubu’s spokesperson, said his principal’s administration seeks to promote transparency, hold public office holders accountable, and open up the presidency to the public.

He added that Tinubu’s administration will ensure a zero-tolerance policy towards media repression and institutional arrogance in government communications.

“I believe the first and most important point I would want to make is that this institution belongs to Nigerians. It does not belong to any political parties, it does not belong to any public officials. It belongs to over 200 million citizens of this country both at home and abroad. And it is with that understanding that we will be engaging the world,” Mr Ngelale said.

Mr Ngelale said Tinubu’s administration “believe it is the right, not a privilege but the right of every Nigerian to have full access into the affairs of the presidential villa, into the affairs of the office of the president and the office of the vice president.”

Upon returning to Nigeria from the United States, Ajuri worked as a reporter for African Independent Television (AIT). He became famous for his report “EAGLE EYE.”

Ajuri has also worked as a Lead Consultant, Public Affairs at the Federal Ministry of Power.

Subsequently, Ajuri also spent some years of his reporting career with Channels TV, where he started working as a TV presenter, producer and senior news correspondent.

After his exit from Channels TV, he was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs by President Muhammadu Buhari. In this capacity, Ajuri is known to be a staunch defender of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and policies.

He has so far discharged the office of Special Adviser on Media and Communications like can be seen in the civilized clime where information officers don’t talk down on their audience.