By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The Presidency has dismissed as false a viral claim on social media alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced the Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, with the Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described the report as a complete fabrication and urged Nigerians to disregard it.
According to the statement, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila remains the Chief of Staff to the President, while Hakeem Muri-Okunola continues to serve in his role as Principal Private Secretary. At no point, the Presidency clarified, has Muri-Okunola been appointed to replace Gbajabiamila.
The statement further accused “mischievous purveyors of fake news” of deliberately spreading the false claim to create disharmony within the government.
The Presidency also reminded media organisations and social media users of the need to verify information before publishing or sharing it, stressing the importance of responsible journalism and accurate reporting.