Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to President Bola Tinubu, has affirmed his admiration for Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, describing him as a respected leader within the State House media team.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, Bwala expressed his high regard for Onanuga’s leadership and journalistic legacy. “Bayo Onanuga is an elder statesman, a very brilliant journalist with an admirable track record. We are happy he’s leading us as a leader,” Bwala said. “I’m happy for him to lead, though I haven’t been officially told so. Because he’s an elder, I respect him.”
Addressing speculation about friction within the media team, Bwala dismissed the notion of rivalry, stating, “I can never be drawn into a position where I will rub shoulders with him. If he says, ‘go and carry that table,’ I will just do so; that’s my job. It’s not about title.”
The comments come amid ongoing clarifications of roles within the presidency’s communications team following the departure of Ajuri Ngelale, the former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. Ngelale vacated the position in September to attend to family health matters.
Onanuga had temporarily assumed Ngelale’s office, leading to perceptions that he had taken over as the primary presidential spokesperson. Bwala, however, clarified his current role, noting that he now serves as Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications.
“When Ajuri was there, the nomenclature was Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. Now, the role is called Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications (State House),” Bwala explained.
He also highlighted that Sunday Dare, another appointee in the communications team, is operating under the Ministry of Information, reflecting a broader restructuring of the administration’s communication strategy. The reorganization of the State House media team underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring clarity and efficiency in communicating government policies and initiatives to the public.
