Mr. Bayo Onanugu, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu has picked hole in the choice of words used by his counterpart, Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, on the recent development in the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).
Mr Ngelale, had on Monday announced the dismissal of Messrs Babatunde Irukera and Alexander Ayoola Okoh of FCCPE and BPE respectively by President Tinubu, citing the plans “to restructure and reposition critical agencies.”
Ngelale stated, “In conformity with plans to restructure and reposition critical agencies of the Federal Government toward protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers and providing a strong basis for enhanced contributions to the nation’s economy by key growth-enabling institutions, President Bola Tinubu has dismissed the following Chief Executive Officers:
“(1) Mr. Babatunde Irukera — EVC/CEO, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). (2) Mr. Alexander Ayoola Okoh — Director-General/CEO, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).”
Ngelale added, “The two dismissed Chief Executives are directed to hand over to the next most senior officer in their respective agencies, pending the appointment of new Chief Executive Officers.”
Mr Onanuga had however disagreed with the use of the word “dismissal” by Ngelale, stating that the duo were relieved of their positions.
“I have followed the concerns in the media on the report that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dismissed Babatunde Irukera EVC/CEO, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and Alexander Ayoola Okoh — Director-General/CEO, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE). The President’s directive did not intend a dismissal,” Onanuga said.
“The two men who have served our country were relieved of their duties by the President, as he scouts for their successors. The connotations implied in using the word dismissal were clearly not intended in the statement issued.”
Onanuga also pinned the statement on his Twitter page to correct the impression that Irukera and Okah were not dismissed.
