Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has strongly denied reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu is planning to relieve him of his position, calling the claims baseless and fabricated.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Segun Imohiosen, Akume described the speculation as “entirely false, misleading, and without any basis in fact.”
“I wish to state emphatically that the information is entirely false, misleading, and lacks any basis in fact, as Mr. President has no any intention of doing so,” the statement read.
The SGF insisted that President Tinubu retains full confidence in his ability to carry out the responsibilities of his office and remains firmly committed to the goals of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“President Tinubu reposes unwavering confidence in the capacity of the SGF to discharge his statutory obligations of formulating and implementing policies and programmes of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration,” Imohiosen stated.
Akume described the news of his alleged removal as the work of “mischief makers” who are bent on spreading disinformation to mislead the public and create unnecessary tension in government circles.
“This is nothing but a fabrication and a figment of the imagination of mischief makers who are out there to disinform and misinform the innocent public,” the statement added.
He urged Nigerians, media houses, and digital platforms to disregard the rumour and uphold journalistic integrity by verifying information before publication.
“We urge the public, media organisations, and digital platforms to discountenance such rumours and to exercise caution as well as verify the authenticity of information before disseminating it.
“Spreading unverified or intentionally false narratives not only undermines public trust but also poses a threat to the integrity of our institutions.”
The SGF also aligned his position with that of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Strategy, Chief Bayo Onanuga, who had earlier issued a similar denial on behalf of the Presidency.
“Congruously, the previous press statement issued by the SA to Mr. President on Media and Strategy, Chief Bayo Onanuga, resonates in no small measure the position of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on this matter.”
Akume, a former Governor of Benue State and long-time political ally of President Tinubu, was appointed SGF in June 2023.
The statement Onanuga concluded by reaffirming Akume’s position, declaring, “Therefore, Senator Dr. George Akume, CON, remains the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”
