Presidency Dismisses Reports of Chief of Staff Shake-up, Labels Replacement Claims as ‘Falsehood’

The Presidency has officially debunked viral reports suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, with his Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

In a statement released on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, the State House clarified that both officials remain in their respective roles and urged the public to ignore the misinformation circulating on social media platforms.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, issued the rebuttal to address the growing speculation. He emphasized that the administrative structure of the President’s inner circle remains unchanged.

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

The Presidency further clarified that Hakeem Muri-Okunola has not been elevated to the position of Chief of Staff, nor has Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila been relieved of his duties.

The statement attributed the viral claims to a deliberate attempt by bad actors to undermine the stability of the current administration.

“The viral claim is a fabrication by mischievous purveyors of fake news whose sole aim is to create disharmony within the government,” the release noted.

In light of the rapid spread of the rumor, the Presidency issued a stern reminder to journalists and social media users regarding the importance of factual reporting.

“We reiterate that news media should always verify their information before publishing or sharing on social media,” the statement added.

The clarification comes as a definitive move to quell political anxiety and ensure that the public is not misled by unauthorized reports regarding key government appointments.