By Franklin Adole
When the Presidency announced sweeping changes at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) about two weeks ago, the news was received with mixed emotions. While the appointments were celebrated in some quarters as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s drive to “strengthen national broadcasting,” they cast a shadow of grief over the home of Aisha Buhari, widow of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Her distress was not without reason. Among those affected by the shake-up was Mr. Salihu Abdullahi Dembos, the NTA Director-General, who was suddenly relieved of his duties. Dembos, a close relative of Aisha Buhari from Adamawa State, had been nominated for the job through her influence in 2023. His removal therefore struck a personal chord.
The Presidency’s initial announcement had read:“President Tinubu strengthens national broadcasting, appoints new NTA DG and EDs…”
According to that statement, Rotimi Richard Pedro (Lagos, South-West) was named Director-General; Karimah Bello (Katsina, North-West) was appointed Executive Director, Marketing; Stella Din (Plateau, North-Central) became Executive Director, News; while Sophia Issa Mohammed (Adamawa, North-East) was assigned as Managing Director, NTA Enterprises Limited.
But yesterday, in a dramatic twist, the Presidency reversed course. In a new statement signed by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the earlier appointments were set aside. Dembos was recalled to office to complete his three-year tenure, which began in October 2023, while Mr. Ayo Adewuyi, Executive Director of News, was also reinstated to serve out his own term, which runs until 2027.
The statement read in part:“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the recall of Mr. Salihu Abdullahi Dembos, the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), who briefly vacated the post following some management changes in the agency. Dembos was appointed DG of the TV network by President Tinubu in October 2023. He will now return to complete his three-year tenure.”
Credible sources told this newspaper that Aisha Buhari may have played a decisive role in the reversal. It was learnt that the former First Lady leaned heavily on the Presidency to reinstate her relative, recalling her pivotal support for Tinubu’s candidacy during the 2023 election season.
At the time, Aisha Buhari stood out as one of Tinubu’s strongest advocates from within the Buhari household. In contrast to her late husband’s coldness toward Tinubu’s bid, she publicly aligned herself with the APC candidate, countering narratives that the Villa machinery was against his candidacy. She was reported to have openly praised Tinubu’s resilience and political pedigree, even urging Nigerians to rally behind him when skepticism lingered within the ruling party.
“Yesterday’s reversal, therefore, is widely seen as a testament to Aisha Buhari’s enduring clout in the Tinubu presidency. By successfully lobbying for the reinstatement of her relation, she has reaffirmed her influence on state affairs even after her husband’s passing,” said our source.