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

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.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Nigerians to firmly reject any tax legislation found to be distorted or fraudulently altered.

In his 2025 Christmas message, NLC President Joe Ajaero warned that alleged forgeries and distortions within certain tax policies are eroding public trust and undermining the credibility of the nation’s fiscal system.

“Together, in this season and beyond, we must insist on Tax Justice—where the wealthy pay their fair share and all regressive taxes are abolished,” Ajaero stated.

He emphasized that “any tax system mired in apparent distortion and outright forgery is unacceptable and should be rejected by all,” adding that “it is better to patiently craft a broadly accepted law than to rush into one filled with serious errors and political manipulation.”

Ajaero further called for national unity in demanding equitable governance and reiterated the NLC’s commitment to mobilizing workers against policies that exacerbate economic hardship.

Related Development: Reps Probe Gazette Discrepancies

In a related move, the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating alleged discrepancies in the gazetted versions of recent Tax Reform Acts has pledged to conclude its work swiftly.

The committee, chaired by Muktar Aliyu Betara (APC, Borno), held its inaugural meeting on Tuesday, December 23. It was established following a Privilege Matter raised on the floor of the House concerning inconsistencies between the laws passed by the National Assembly and the versions published in the official gazette.

Members resolved to finalize the investigation and report back “within the shortest possible time,” stressing the need to uphold legislative integrity, due process, and public confidence in the lawmaking process.