FAKE NEWS DEBUNKER: Presidency Denies Sacking, Replacing Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila
By: Olufemi Orunsola
The Presidency has debunked a Christmas day speculation circulating on social media suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sacked and replaced his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, with the Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the fake news debunker came on Thursday evening via a State House press release issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle @ aonanuga1956 at exactly 16.56 pm.
Onanuga described the report as a fabrication and urged Nigerians to disregard it completely.
Onanuga further stated that there had been no change in the leadership structure of the President’s office, insisting that both officials remained firmly in their respective positions.
In his swift response to the widely circulating sack story, Onanuga said, “There is absolutely no truth to this story."
He also added that, “The Chief of Staff remains in his position. The Principal Private Secretary likewise remains in his role.”
While insisting that the viral sack claim was the handiwork of individuals bent on spreading misinformation and sowing discord within the government, Onanuga said, “The viral claim is a fabrication by mischievous purveyors of fake news whose sole aim is to create disharmony within the government."
The presidential spokesperson, therefore, used the opportunity to caution media organisations and social media users against amplifying unverified information, particularly on sensitive matters concerning governance.
“We reiterate that news media should always verify their information before publishing or sharing on social media,” he concluded.
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