Mr. Daniel Bwala: Getting ahead of oneself, by Usman Yusuf Dole
Curiosity killed the cat. On 7th September 2024, Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Ngelale Ajuri suddenly tendered his resignation, citing family and health issues, while expressing optimism about returning to service soon. The energetic young man had been handling dual roles: Presidential Spokesperson and Special Envoy on Climate Change. At 38 years old, Mr. Ajuri was a veteran Nigerian broadcast journalist and politician, previously served as Senior Special Adviser to President Buhari and Co-principal Presidential Campaign Spokesperson to Tinubu. Though Mr. Ajuri was not widely known until his recent role as Presidential Spokesperson, he made a significant impacts in this capacity.
Despite his stated reasons for resigning, many insiders in the presidency believe Mr. Ajuri’s departure was due to his tendency to “ruffle feathers”—annoying or offending people, especially those with influence.
Upon closer scrutiny, it becomes apparent that President Tinubu’s approach can unpredictable with a tendency to target those who seem stand out. The saying “the nail that sticks out gets hammered” rings true, as demonstrated by the fates of El-Rufai, Betta Edu, Muhammad Tahir SAN, and MT Gwarzo. Perhaps this was the silent observation from Simon Lalong, Tinubu’s campaign Director-General, which led him to opt for his senatorial seat for permanent peace of mind for at least the spring of 4 years.
READ ALSO: Ajuri Ngelale steps down as Tinubu’s spokesman
Indeed, the role of Presidential Spokesperson is a highly coveted one, especially given how Mr. Ajuri’s navigated and balanced the position.
Following Mr. Ajuri’s abrupt resignation, many figures within the presidency expressed a keen interest in the vacant role. Among the frontrunners were Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Media and Strategic Communication, and Mr. Sunday Akin Dare, Special Adviser on Public Communication and National Orientation—both media moguls eyeing the same opportunity.
However, in a surprising turn, Mr. Daniel Bwala was appointed as Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication. While his new role was not specifically defined as a direct successor to Ajuri, many Nigerians, including former APC National Youth Leader Ismaeel Ahmed, suggested that the trio should work out overlapping.
But it seems Mr. Daniel Bwala may be getting ahead of himself. In his interviews with the White House and Channel Television, Bwala declared himself the new Presidential Spokesperson, positioning himself as direct Ajuri’s successor. This bold move stirred tensions, particularly among Mr. Bayo and Mr. Sunday, both of whom were seen as more fitting candidates for the role.
Curiosity killed the cat. Bwala’s premature declaration showcased his naivety about the unpredictable nature of the presidency. Perhaps Maryam Shetty knows this reality well.
Out of nowhere, an announcement from Mr. Bayo ignited excitement, signaling a redesign of the media team and relegating Mr. Bwala to a lower tier. This development highlighted Bwala’s into a defense lines about his loyalty to the APC and President Tinubu, as he emphasised in a recent interview. However, it also distracted him from understanding where his responsibilities lay amidst the confusion caused by his three concurrent appointments.
Ultimately, the question remains: Will Daniel Bwala, a former vocal critic of Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, navigate the complex dynamics of the villa cabals and survive the intricate workings of today’s presidency? Time, as always, will be the best judge!
Usman Yusuf Dole, writes from Sabon Fegi Damaturu Yobe State, comradedole1230@gmail.com
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