The Presidency has denied reports circulating on social media that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed his Chief of Staff, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, from office. The report also claimed that the President had replaced Gbajabiamila with his Principal Private Secretary, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Presidency described the report as false and misleading. It urged Nigerians to ignore the claim, saying there has been no change in the leadership structure of the President’s office.
The statement was issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga. According to him, both Femi Gbajabiamila and Hakeem Muri-Okunola are still performing their official duties in their respective positions.
“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 said.
“There is absolutely no truth to this story. We advise Nigerians to disregard it entirely,” Onanuga added.
The Presidency stressed clearly that Gbajabiamila remains the Chief of Staff to the President, while Muri-Okunola continues to serve as the Principal Private Secretary. It said there has been no announcement, decision, or plan to replace any of them.
“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 read.
The Presidency also blamed the report on what it described as individuals who deliberately spread false information. According to the statement, such reports are aimed at causing confusion and creating tension within the government.
“The viral claim is a fabrication by mischievous purveyors of fake news whose sole aim is to create disharmony within the government,” Onanuga said.
The statement further advised media organisations and social media users to always verify information before sharing it with the public. It noted that the spread of unverified reports can mislead Nigerians and damage public trust.
“We reiterate that news media should always verify their information before publishing or sharing on social media,” the statement added.
The report had gained wide attention online, with many social media users speculating about a possible shake-up in President Tinubu’s inner circle. Some posts claimed that the alleged change was linked to internal politics within the Presidency, but no official source backed such claims.
Femi Gbajabiamila was appointed Chief of Staff to President Tinubu in June 2023, shortly after the President assumed office. Before his appointment, Gbajabiamila served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023. He is one of the longest-serving lawmakers in Nigeria’s history and is considered a close ally of President Tinubu.
As Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila plays a key role in coordinating the President’s schedule, managing access to the President, and ensuring smooth operations within the Presidency. The position is regarded as one of the most influential roles in the government.
On the other hand, Hakeem Muri-Okunola serves as the Principal Private Secretary to the President. He was formerly the Head of Service of Lagos State and worked closely with President Tinubu during his time as governor of the state. His role involves handling the President’s personal and official correspondence, as well as managing administrative matters related to the President’s office.
Both officials are seen as trusted members of President Tinubu’s team, and their appointments were widely reported and confirmed when they were announced.
The Presidency’s quick response to the viral report highlights growing concerns about the spread of fake news in the country, especially on social media platforms. In recent years, false reports about government officials, policies, and appointments have become more common, often causing public confusion and unnecessary debate.
The Tinubu administration has faced several challenges since assuming office, including economic reforms, subsidy removal, and efforts to improve security across the country. Against this background, any report suggesting instability within the Presidency naturally attracts attention.
However, the latest statement makes it clear that there is no crisis or leadership change in the President’s office. The Presidency maintains that the government remains focused on delivering its agenda and serving Nigerians.
As the Presidency continues to warn against fake news, Nigerians are encouraged to verify information from reliable sources and wait for official announcements before drawing conclusions on sensitive national issues.
For now, Femi Gbajabiamila remains Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, and Hakeem Muri-Okunola continues as Principal Private Secretary, contrary to the viral claims making the rounds on social media.