By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Presidency has dispelled the viral claim on social media that the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has replaced his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

This was disclosed on Thursday in a press statement released by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to a viral falsehood circulating on social media suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, with his Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

It further stated that both personalities are maintaining their assigned duties and that no one has replaced them.

“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,” the statement reads.

The statement termed such fabrication as the mischievous work of those wanting to create disharmony in the government of President Tinubu.

It concluded by calling on media houses to verify information thoroughly before publishing as that will help in curbing fake news.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Ahead of the forthcoming presidential election in 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday inaugurated a Committee on Strategy, Conflict Resolution and Mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress(APC)

The announcement was made by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The committee was inaugurated to address internal conflicts within the All Progressives Congress, APC, and strengthen mobilisation efforts across the country.

Members of the committee include serving governors, members of the Federal Executive Council, and other key stakeholders of the ruling party.

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, was appointed Chairman of the committee, while former APC National Legal Adviser, Mr Muiz Banire, will serve as Member/Secretary.

Other members are Sen. Adamu Aliero; Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq; Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma.

Also in the committee are Governors Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Bassey Otu of Cross River, Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta.

Governors Uba Sani of Kaduna State and Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers are also members, alongside Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; and former Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello.

Speaking at the inauguration, Buni expressed appreciation to the party leadership for the confidence reposed in the committee.

“The committee will engage in strategic engagements and consultations to develop an all-encompassing, productive, and result-oriented strategy that will stand the test of time.

“We shall implement a system that gives everyone, especially aggrieved parties, a sense of belonging and inclusion, with a renewed hope.

“Similarly, the committee will consider proactive measures, solutions, and the potential threats in our conflict resolution approach,” Buni said.

He urged members not to allow personal interests to override the collective purpose of the assignment.

Tinubu had earlier stressed the need for unity within the party at the APC’s 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Dec. 19 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

“We must continue to be resolute that this democracy that we take in our hands must not fail.

“We say we are bigger. We are larger and taller. But it should now be in our hearts to be accommodating.

“That’s the only way we can be resilient; we must be tolerant,” the president said.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Renowned Islamic scholar Ahmad Gumi has filed a criminal complaint against two individuals at the Chief Magistrate Court in Kaduna State, accusing them of criminal conspiracy and defamation.

The suit, numbered KMD/685/25 and filed on Wednesday, names Facebook users George Udom and Bello Isiaka as defendants.

Court documents reveal that the defendants allegedly published a post on December 23, 2025, falsely attributed to Gumi, which contained a violent threat directed at the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa.

The fabricated statement read:
“If the Minister of Defence Christopher Musa doesn’t stop his military offensive against bandits, his entire family in Zango Kataf in Southern Kaduna will be eliminated.”

In his complaint, Gumi denied any involvement with the post, stating that it falsely portrayed him as threatening a serving public official—a claim he described as both malicious and dangerous.

Through his counsel, Suleiman Lere, Gumi asserted that the publication was “recklessly crafted to depict him as a sponsor of terrorism and a threat to national security,” severely damaging his reputation as a cleric known for advocating peace and dialogue.

He further expressed concern that the false statement endangered his personal safety, potentially exposing him to reprisals or unwarranted state action.

The application for criminal summons cites provisions of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017, which prescribe severe penalties for such offences upon conviction.

Speaking on the case, Lere warned social media users against spreading false information:
“The era of hiding behind a smartphone to destroy the reputation of others is over.”

Gumi remains a prominent—and often controversial—figure in Nigeria’s security discourse, especially in the Northwest and North-central regions. He has repeatedly called for dialogue with armed bandits and previously engaged in forest visits to facilitate peace talks.

He has also urged the federal government to consider amnesty for bandits, akin to the Niger Delta programme, and proposed establishing a federal ministry of nomadic affairs.