The Presidency has firmly dismissed reports circulating on social media that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, with his Principal Private Secretary, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the government moved to quash the viral rumours that had gained traction across various online platforms, stressing that the claims are entirely unfounded and without basis.
The clarification was made public by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, who described the social media narratives as falsehoods engineered to mislead Nigerians and create unnecessary confusion about the leadership of the President’s office.
“The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to a viral falsehood circulating on social media suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, with his Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola,” the statement read. “There is absolutely no truth to this story. We advise Nigerians to disregard it entirely.”
The Presidency emphasised that both officials, Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff and Muri-Okunola as Principal Private Secretary, continue to serve in their current capacities, and that no personnel changes have been authorised regarding the two positions.
According to Onanuga, the false report was propagated by what the statement termed “mischievous purveyors of fake news” whose purported aim is to create discord within government circles. He urged journalists and media organisations to heighten their verification processes before publishing or sharing information with the public.
“The viral claim is a fabrication by mischievous purveyors of fake news whose sole aim is to create disharmony within the government. We reiterate that news media should always verify their information before publishing or sharing on social media,” the Presidency said.
The statement marks the latest official response to speculation about the inner workings of the Tinubu administration, where rumours about changes in senior government positions have periodically surfaced online. Government officials maintain that accurate communication and responsible reporting remain essential in preventing the spread of misinformation.
