Presidency debunks rumours of Gbajabiamila’s removal as Chief of Staff

By James Ike

The Presidency has firmly denied reports claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu plans to remove his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and replace him with the Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

The clarification was issued in a statement posted on Thursday via the social media platform X by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

He described the report circulating online as false and misleading.
According to the statement, there has been no change in the leadership structure of the Presidency, stressing that both Gbajabiamila and Muri-Okunola remain in their respective positions.

“The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to a viral falsehood 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 read.

Onanuga emphasised that the claim was entirely untrue, urging Nigerians to disregard it. “There is absolutely no truth to this story. The Chief of Staff remains in his position, and the Principal Private Secretary likewise remains in his role,” he stated.
The Presidency further described the report as a deliberate fabrication aimed at misleading the public and sowing discord within the government.

It also cautioned members of the media and the general public against spreading unverified information, calling on news organisations to uphold professional standards by verifying facts before publication, especially on social media platforms.