In a statement issued on September 7, Ngelale said the
decision “was taken after significant consultations with my family over the
past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home”.
“While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for
no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the
Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official
Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action,
and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken
after significant consultations with my family,” he said.
Ngelale said he “looks forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit”.
“I respectfully ask
for some privacy for my family and I during this time,” he added.
On July 31, 2023, Tinubu appointed Ngelale, an ex-aide to
former President Muhammadu Buhari, as his special adviser on media and publicity.
On May 19, 2024, the president appointed Ngelale as the
special presidential envoy on climate action.