Yesterday, more information came out about why President Bola Tinubu still hasn’t named an official spokeswoman a week after he took office.
Kemi Ashefon did some research and found that the President wants to change the “architecture of his media” to represent the changes he is making as President, but some of his media aides don’t agree on the structure and job descriptions of some positions.
Normally, as soon as he was sworn in on May 29, the President should have named his official spokeswoman and Chief of Staff (CoS).
On Thursday, Tinubu named Femi Gbajabiamila, the speaker of the House of Representatives, as CoS and George Akume, the former governor of Benue State, as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
It was said that a new spokesperson is being planned. This person will “not only answer to the President but will also be a cabinet member who will attend Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings and have the power to actively participate in discussions and vote, if necessary.”
Since the suggested spokesperson will be a member of the cabinet, it was thought that his name might be included in the list of ministerial nominees to be sent to the 10th National Assembly after its June 13 start date.
“The government is coming up with a lot of new ideas,” said someone close to Tinubu. And the media will be different than what we all knew before Trump became president. That’s why the news hasn’t come out yet.”
The source said that even though the Presidency hasn’t named a spokesperson, there hasn’t been a gap because Dele Alake has been working as the President’s media adviser.
The person said, “Alake has been speaking for the President since the end of the campaign, and he will continue to do so.” Because of this, there isn’t much disagreement about how to explain the government’s position on many topics.”
Another person close to the president said that the delay in naming a spokesperson was because Tinubu’s media aides were plotting.
They not only want the job, but they also want to talk to the president without going through the COS, but they still want to be cabinet members.
“Some of his media aides want to have their cake and eat it too,” the person said. They are using the new government structure to stay in power and still have direct access to the president.
“But one person will be in charge, and three or four others will work for him. I don’t want to name names right now, but Nigerians know who has been working.”
In addition to Alake, who has been speaking for the President, Bayo Onanuga, the former Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo, Kehinde Bamigbetan, Issa-Onilu, Modibbo Kawu, and Seun Olufemi-White are also on Tinubu’s media team during campaigns.
But Tunde Rahman, Tinubu’s personal media assistant, has been writing news releases since Tinubu took office.
The source also refuted a rumor that Tinubu had named Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser (NSA). Ribadu is a retired police officer, the source said, so Tinubu couldn’t have done that.
When asked why a former police officer can’t work for the NSA, the source said, “I can’t say more about it.” Those who ought to know know.”
Alake was asked why Tinubu hasn’t chosen a spokesperson yet, and he said, “There is no rule that says when the President should choose his spokesperson…there’s even no law that says he has to name one.”