Presidency has moved swiftly to debunk a viral claim suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, with the Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, describing the report as entirely false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Presidency said it had become aware of the misinformation circulating widely on social media and stressed that there has been no change in the leadership structure of the President’s office.
“There is absolutely no truth to this story. We advise Nigerians to disregard it entirely,” the statement said.
Clarifying the situation, the Presidency reaffirmed that both officials remain firmly in their respective positions, dismissing any suggestion of a reshuffle as baseless.
“The Chief of Staff remains in his position. The Principal Private Secretary likewise remains in his role. Hakeem Muri-Okunola has not replaced Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff,” the statement added.
The Presidency further described the viral report as a deliberate fabrication aimed at sowing discord within government circles and misleading the public.
“The viral claim is a fabrication by mischievous purveyors of fake news whose sole aim is to create disharmony within the government,” it stated.
The clarification comes amid heightened sensitivity around appointments within the Tinubu administration, with officials urging the public to rely on verified sources for accurate information.
Reiterating the administration’s stance on responsible communication, the Presidency urged media organisations and social media users to uphold professional standards.
“We reiterate that news media should always verify their information before publishing or sharing on social media,” the statement said.