The Presidency has dismissed as false reports circulating on social media claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sacked his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
In a statement issued on Christmas Day, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the report as a fabrication and urged Nigerians to ignore it.
According to the Presidency, Gbajabiamila remains firmly in office as Chief of Staff, while Hakeem Muri-Okunola continues to serve as the President’s Principal Private Secretary. “There is absolutely no truth to this story,” Onanuga said, stressing that no changes have been made to the positions of either official.
The statement accused those behind the rumour of deliberately spreading misinformation to create confusion and disharmony within the government. It warned that unverified reports, particularly on sensitive political appointments, undermine public trust and fuel unnecessary speculation.
The rumour had gained momentum online on December 25, with several posts falsely announcing an alleged shake-up at the Presidency. However, the prompt clarification by the State House helped to halt its spread, as official accounts quickly circulated the denial.
Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and a close ally of President Tinubu, has served as Chief of Staff since June 2023. Muri-Okunola, a former Head of Service in Lagos State, was appointed Principal Private Secretary in September 2023.
The Presidency reiterated its call on the public and media practitioners to verify information from credible sources before sharing, noting that the fight against fake news remains critical to preserving public confidence in governance.
