Drama In Aso Rock As Tinubu Shuns Ajuri, Onanugu Over Anniversary’s Speech, Attends Joint NASS, Refuses Formal Address, Speaks Off Record

Indication shows all may not be well in the presidential villa as President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday shunned his two spokesmen, Bayo Onanuga, and Ajuri Ngelale who contradicted each other on his first anniversary’s speech, to
addressed a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja as the nation celebrated 25 years of continuous democracy.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) had reported that in commemoration of the first anniversary, both spokesmen had issued contradictory statements.

While Onanuga said Tinubu was breaking away from the tradition of nationwide broadcast, but would address a joint session of the National Assembly, Ngelale described the statement as false.

“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,” Ngelale’s statement read.

Earlier, Onanuga had said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not make a broadcast to the nation on Wednesday to celebrate his first anniversary as the leader of Nigeria.

“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″,he wrote.

But Tinubu pulled a surprise when he unexpectedly appeared at the NASS joint session, a development which led to mild confusion among the lawmakers.

According to Quest Times, Tinubu arrived at the parliament at 12:28 p.m., accompanied by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima.

The President’s appearance was initially expected to include a formal address, but Tinubu deviated from this plan.

Instead, he opted for an informal approach, speaking briefly and off-record.

In his brief remarks, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the lawmakers for their dedication to maintaining Nigeria’s democracy over the past 25 years.

“Out of respect, I want to say thank you very much. This is the institution building the country,” he said.

“Our friends, old and new, to every Nigerian, I say congratulations to 25 years of unbroken democracy.”

Tinubu also praised the collaboration between the federal lawmakers and the executive branch, emphasizing the necessity of internal efforts to build the nation.

The session also marked the official introduction of the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” which has replaced “Arise, O Compatriots.” This change followed the separate approvals from the Senate and the House of Representatives to revert to the anthem composed during Nigeria’s independence in 1960. Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate, wrote the lyrics, and Frances Berda composed the anthem.