The Presidency of Nigeria has officially dismissed as false the widespread social media claim that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, with his Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola. The clarification was issued in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, who described the viral reports as “entirely untrue and misleading”.
According to the statement, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila remains firmly in his role as Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, while Hakeem Muri-Okunola continues in his position as Principal Private Secretary — and has not assumed the Chief of Staff role. The Presidency said the speculation was a fabrication spread to create disharmony within the government and urged Nigerians to disregard the rumours entirely.
Officials also called on media organisations and members of the public to verify information before publishing or sharing unconfirmed reports, particularly on sensitive issues concerning the Presidency, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in national discourse.
Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, was appointed Chief of Staff by President Tinubu in June 2023 shortly after the start of the current administration and has been a key figure in coordinating the Presidency’s activities and strategic agenda.
The clarification puts to rest recent speculation about a leadership change within the President’s inner circle, reaffirming that the current administrative structure remains unchanged.
