The Presidency has dismissed reports alleging that President Bola Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, with his Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the claim as entirely false, attributing it to “mischievous purveyors of fake news bent on creating discord within the government.”

According to Onanuga, there is no truth whatsoever to the report, urging Nigerians to completely disregard the speculation.

He clarified that both officials remain firmly in their respective roles, stressing that Gbajabiamila continues to serve as Chief of Staff, while Muri-Okunola retains his position as Principal Private Secretary.

“There has been no replacement. Hakeem Muri-Okunola has not taken over the role of Chief of Staff from Femi Gbajabiamila,” Onanuga stated.

The presidential spokesman also advised media organisations and social media users to verify information thoroughly before publishing or circulating unconfirmed reports.

The denial follows widespread social media speculation on Wednesday, with claims suggesting an impending shake-up within the Presidency’s administrative structure.

The rumours also echoed earlier speculations from September 2024, which hinted at a possible cabinet reshuffle and named former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, as a potential replacement for Gbajabiamila, or alternatively, Muri-Okunola if Fashola declined the role.

However, no such changes occurred, and Gbajabiamila has continued in office.

Gbajabiamila, 62, was appointed Chief of Staff on June 2, 2023, shortly after President Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29. He formally resigned from the House of Representatives on June 14, 2023, having served as Speaker from 2019 to 2023 and represented Surulere I Federal Constituency of Lagos State for six consecutive terms since 2003.

Muri-Okunola, 53, assumed office as Principal Private Secretary in September 2023. He previously served as Lagos State Head of Service from December 2018 and had earlier worked as Tinubu’s personal assistant during his tenure as Lagos State Governor between 2003 and 2005.