Daniel Bwala: I can never rub shoulders with Bayo Onanuga — he’s an elder statesman

Daniel Bwala, special adviser on media and public communications to President Bola Tinubu, says he “can never be drawn into a position” where he “will rub shoulders” with Bayo Onanuga.

Bwala spoke on Monday while answering questions on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme.

Onanuga is the special adviser to the president on information and strategy.

Bwala said he would be happy to see Onanuga lead the presidential media team.

“Bayo Onanuga is an elder statesman. He’s a very brilliant journalist who has had his records. We are happy he’s leading us as a leader,” he said.

“I’m happy for him to lead. I haven’t been told, but I’m happy for him to lead. Because he’s an elder, I will respect him.

“And he has his own record. He has served Nigeria well. He has a proven record as a journalist.

“I can never be drawn into a position where I will rub shoulders with him. I doff my cap for him.

“My own is, if he says ‘go and carry that table,’ I will just do so; that’s my job. It’s not about title.”

Bwala also said he has taken over the role of Ajuri Ngelale, the former presidential spokesperson.

Ngelale, who was special adviser on media and publicity to the president, vacated the position in September.

The former media aide to the president had said he would be embarking on an “indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters” affecting his immediate, nuclear family.

Confusion had arisen after Onanuga took over as presidential spokesman following Ngelale’s departure.

Onanuga also moved to the office previously occupied by Ngelale at the presidential villa.

However, during the chat, Bwala announced himself as the presidential spokesperson, adding there has only been a change in office nomenclature.

“When Ajuri was there, the nomenclature was special adviser on media and publicity, and now that role is called special adviser on media and public communications (State House). Sunday Dare works from the office of the minister of information,” he added.