Ajuri Ngelale, who served as the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Bola Tinubu, has resigned from his position with immediate effect. The announcement was made through a statement from the Presidency on Saturday.

Ngelale explained that he has already submitted a memo to the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, informing him of his decision to take indefinite leave. His resignation extends to his other roles, including his position as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and as Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.

The reason for his resignation, as stated by Ngelale, is to focus on addressing medical issues affecting both his immediate and extended family. This decision comes as a personal necessity for him to prioritize the health and well-being of his loved ones.

The statement read, 

“On Friday, I submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate nuclear family.

“While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President, Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.

“I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit. I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and me during this time.”

Ngelale’s departure marks a significant shift in the presidency’s media team, as he was a key figure in handling media relations for the President.