Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) to the President, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, has dismissed as false and unauthorized the statement by another senior presidential aide that President Bola Tinubu will address the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Senior Special Adviser on Information & Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, had earlier on Tuesday issued a statement announcing that Tinubu would address a joint session of the National Assembly as part of activity to mark the President’s one year in office and 25 years of uninterrupted parliament.
Onanuga had said that President Tinubu’s speech will dwell on the achievements of his administration and Nigeria’s democracy since the military ceded power in 1999.
According to him, “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 Bola Ahmed Tinubu Building.”
Shortly after this, presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, issued a counter statement, saying that “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.”
As at press time, no further clarification had come from the presidency on the obvious break in communication.
