The worst may not be over yet for Presidential Spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, as his boss is seriously contemplating hiring yet another media aide less than two weeks after he employed Dr. Doyin Okupe to perform part of Abati’s functions.

Competent source close to Aso Rock, the Nigerian seat of power, disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan may soon appoint yet Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, thus making Abati more irrelevant.

“The new SSA will handle the international media while Abati will be restricted to dealing with the local media,” a usually reliable source close to the Presidency told Transport & Business Express.

The source described the intended move by President Jonathan as yet another signal that Abati’s days as his spokesman may be numbered.

“If Abati still has any dignity left, he should resign,” the source further said.

Transport & Business Express recalls that part of the duties expected to be performed by Abati in his capacity as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President have been taken away and given to Okupe, who was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the President on July 27.

A respected columnist and Editorial Board Chairman of The Guardian until his appointment as Presidential Spokesman, Abati has frittered away his reputation in just about a year of joining the government. Analysts, therefore, see his falling out of favour in The Presidency as a double tragedy of a sort.

*Photo shows the embattled Abati