- Onanuga, Ngelale Issue Conflicting Statement
Events lined up to celebrate the one-year anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in office have triggered confusion from the camp of the president as two key members of the president’s team have issued conflicting statements.
Earlier on Tuesday, Magaji Tambuwal, clerk of the national assembly, said Tinubu would deliver an address on the “state of the nation” at the joint sitting of the senate and house of representatives.
This position was corroborated by Bayo Onanuga, presidential special adviser on information and strategy.
However, a few hours later, in a bizarre development, Ajuri , Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, said Tinubu will not address the national assembly, describing Tambuwal and Onanuga statements as “false”.
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Tambuwal in his statement said; “This is to inform Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members that as part of the event to commemorate 25 years of unbroken democracy and Legislature in Nigeria, there will be a joint sitting of both the Senate and the House of Representatives on Wednesday 29 May 2024,” he said.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, will address the joint sitting of the State of the Nation and the House Of Representatives and also commission the National Assembly Library. Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members are expected to be seated by 9 am.”
Onanuga also corroborated the lawmakers, saying “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 Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not make a broadcast to the nation on Wednesday to celebrate his first anniversary as the leader of Nigeria,” Onanuga said in a statement.
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“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.
“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 the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Building. Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, May 28, 2024” said in the statement.
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Contradicting Onanuga, Ngelale in his statement wrote “In view of public commentary concerning the President delivering a speech before a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly tomorrow (today), 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,” Ajuri said in a statement.
