The Nigerian Presidency has firmly refuted circulating social media rumors that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. The office clarified that Gbajabiamila continues in his role, dispelling claims that his Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, has taken over.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued a statement on Thursday directly addressing the viral falsehood. He emphasized that there is absolutely no truth to the story and urged Nigerians to disregard it entirely as a fabrication.
Onanuga stated that both Gbajabiamila and Muri-Okunola remain in their respective positions. The Principal Private Secretary has not replaced the Chief of Staff, contrary to the widespread speculation that had begun to gain traction online.
The Presidency attributes the spread of this misinformation to individuals or groups intentionally seeking to sow discord within the government. These purveyors of fake news are accused of fabricating stories with the sole aim of creating disharmony and confusion.
This official denial serves to correct the record and reassure the public about the stability of key presidential appointments. The administration is committed to transparency and combating the spread of unsubstantiated claims.
Furthermore, the Presidency reiterated the importance of journalistic integrity, advising all news media outlets to rigorously verify their information before publishing or sharing any content, particularly on social media platforms.
