Presidency speaks on alleged sack of Gbajabiamila as Tinubu’s CoS

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja/Abuja

The Presidency has described viral claim on the social media that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sacked Femi Gbajabiamila, his Chief of Staff and replaced him with Hakeem Muri-Okunola as fake news being peddled with the aim of creating disharmony within the government.

The presidency said this in a statement issued to dismiss speculation on the social media that Tinubu has appointed Hakeem Muri-Okunola who is currently his Principal Private Secretary as his new Chief of staff. Those peddling the rumour had indicated that the sack of Gbajabiamila and appointment of Okunola will be revealed in a big breaking news by the presidency.

But presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga said in a statement on Thursday said there is absolutely no truth to the speculation.

He also advised Nigerians not to be taken in by the falsehood as he asserted that current Chief of Staff and Principal Private Secretary remained in their roles.

“Hakeem Muri-Okunola has not replaced Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff,” Onanuga said in the statement,

The full statement read: ‘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.

“There is absolutely no truth to this story. We advise Nigerians to disregard it entirely.

“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 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.