News
Has President Tinubu Suddenly Replaced Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila? Presidency Breaks Silence
The Presidency has dismissed as reports claiming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, with the Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 24, the Presidency described the claim as a fabrication and urged Nigerians to ignore it entirely.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement shared via Facebook, stated that there was “absolutely no truth” in the report suggesting any change in the position of Chief of Staff.
“The Chief of Staff remains in his position. The Principal Private Secretary likewise remains in his role. Hakeem Muri-Okunola has not replaced Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff,” Mr Onanuga said.
The Presidency stressed that Mr Gbajabiamila continues to serve as Chief of Staff to the President, dismissing suggestions of a quiet reshuffle within the Presidency.
According to the statement, no such decision has been taken by President Tinubu, and no directive has been issued to indicate any change in the leadership structure of the President’s office.
The Presidency also clarified that Mr Muri-Okunola remains the Principal Private Secretary to the President and has not been elevated to the position of Chief of Staff.
Officials described the speculation as baseless and misleading, warning that such claims were capable of creating unnecessary tension within government.
Mr Onanuga accused those behind the viral claim of deliberately spreading falsehood to sow discord within the administration.
“The viral claim is a fabrication by mischievous purveyors of fake news whose sole aim is to create disharmony within the government,” he said.
The Presidency used the opportunity to caution news organisations and social media users to verify information before publishing or sharing it.
“We reiterate that news media should always verify their information before publishing or sharing on social media,” the statement added.
The clarification comes amid heightened public interest in the activities of President Tinubu’s administration, with the Presidency insisting that no changes have been made to the office of the Chief of Staff.
Results from the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election are beginning to trickle in from polling units and local government areas across the state, with electoral officials collating votes amid keen interest from political parties and supporters.
While the outcome remains uncertain, early figures are expected to provide an indication of the direction of the closely watched contest.
PU08, ward 10, Ekiti-east LGA, Ekiti state
ADC – 17
APC – 151
PDP – 28
PU016, ward 09, Idi Igi Ose, Ijero LGA
APC: 93
ADC: 22
PU002, ward 10, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state.
ADC: 3
APC: 163
PDP: 32
PU008, ward 09, Best way, Ijero LGA
APC: 160
PDP: 35
ADC: 25
PU004, ward 11, Oke Ode, Ijero LGA
APC: 229
PDP: 35
ADC: 34
PU005, ward 11, Oke Ode, Ijero LGA
APC: 253
PDP: 30
ADC: 21
PU016, ward 11, Emmanuel Anglican Nur/Pry School, Ijero LGA
APC: 36
PDP: 4
PU009, ward 08, Oko Ejemu, Ijero LGA
APC: 121
ADC: 17
PDP: 7
PU005, ward 08, Fajuyigbe, Ijero LGA
APC: 146
PDP: 14
ADC: 10
The Ekiti State Government has declared Friday, June 19, 2026, a work-free day for public servants in the state.
Naija News reports that the government said the holiday was to enable workers to travel to their respective voting centres ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary to the Head of Service, Janet Ajibola.
“His Excellency, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has graciously declared Friday, 19th June, 2026, as a work-free day for all public servants across the state,” the statement read.
Ajibola said the directive was addressed to commissioners, special advisers, the Secretary to the State Government, permanent secretaries, the Clerk of the House, heads of tertiary institutions, the Registrar of the High Court of Justice, general managers, executive secretaries and heads of departments.
“For the purpose of public safety and continuity of essential services, hospitals and health centres, fire service departments and other essential service providers are exempted and shall continue to provide appropriate services,” the statement added.
The Permanent Secretary urged heads of exempted essential institutions to ensure uninterrupted service delivery during the election period.
She also directed chief executive officers and accounting officers across state parastatals to ensure compliance and wide circulation of the directive.
The news of Kunle Elebute by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the chair of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN). has started generating reactions from Nigerians.
Kunle Elebute, a renowned chartered accountant and financial management consultant, as the chair of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).
This was disclosed in a statement by the presidency on Thursday, June 18, adding that his appointment, adding that his appointment was meant to strengthen corporate governance, deepen accountability and transparency, as well as enhance the confidence of investors within the financial reporting ecosystem of Nigeria.
According to The Punch, Elebute is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) with over 40 years of professional experience in Nigeria, West Africa and the world at large. Elebute had earlier served as the senior partner and chief executive officer of KPMG Nigeria, the KPMG West Africa chairman and the chairman of KPMG Africa.
Also, he had served on the regional and global boards of KPMG, such as its Global Board Audit Committee.
In the statement, he was described as a highly respected professional with wide experience in financial advisory services, auditing, strategic transformation, risk consulting and corporate governance.
Below are some of their comments:
Segun Benson said the appointment should have gone to another qualified person in another region of the country: “I would have expected Mr President to appoint a qualified person from another region.. no shades.”
Dimeji Lawal said that Nigerians are on the lookout for the effect of the appointment: “The appointment is one thing. The impact of the appointment is what Nigerians will be watching.”
Danjuma claimed that Tinubu’s appointments are following a particular pattern of the late former president Muhammadu Buhari: “I like Tinubu for this, he is following the footsteps of Buhari, who fulanised Nigeria with his appointments.”
Shamsuddeen commended the appointment of Elebute by President Tinubu, describing it as wonderful: “That’s another wonderful selection by President Tinubu GCFR by appointing Mr Elebute. Congratulations sir.”
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