Presidency debunks fake ministerial sack reports

The Presidency has debunked the widely circulated reports claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had sacked three Ministers, describing the story as a fabrication with no basis in fact.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, in a post on his verified X handle, @aonanuga, on Tuesday night, expressed deep concern over the dangerous trend.

The erroneous reports, which quickly gained traction on social media, claimed that President Tinubu had dismissed the Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu; the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. 

Citing a non-existent statement allegedly issued by Onanuga, the reports misled the public and triggered widespread speculation.

Describing the development as not only irresponsible but dangerous to national stability, Onanuga called for decisive action against fake news merchants.

“Security agencies must urgently take action against fake news websites and platforms and the purveyors who fail to check the authenticity of the stories and make them go viral,” he said.

He emphasised that unchecked falsehoods pose a threat to democratic values and the integrity of the press, warning that freedoms must be exercised with responsibility.

“Press freedom and freedom of speech will not exist when some people can wake up and concoct their news and narratives without regard for truth.

“Fake news is simply licentiousness and must be criminalised,”Onanuga said.