Presidency dismisses claims of SGF Akume’s sack as disinformation

• Presidency and OSGF deny rumours of Senator George Akume’s removal as Secretary to the Government of the Federation
• Statements label the reports as fake news and an attempt to mislead the public
• Akume reaffirms Tinubu’s confidence in him as CAN warns against divisive narratives

Abuja, Nigeria – The Presidency and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) have firmly denied widespread rumours that President Bola Tinubu has removed or replaced Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). The denial, issued across multiple official channels between 28 and 30 June 2025, described the claims as entirely baseless and an orchestrated attempt to mislead the public.

In a statement on 29 June, Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, refuted the reports circulating on social media and some online platforms that Akume had been dismissed and replaced by Hadiza Bala Usman, the Special Adviser on Policy Coordination. Imohiosen called the rumour “entirely false, misleading, and without any basis in fact,” describing it as “disinformation fabricated by mischief makers.”

Reinforcing this stance, the Presidency also issued a statement through Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on 28 and 29 June. Onanuga clarified that President Tinubu, who was on an official visit to Saint Lucia at the time, had not made any changes to his cabinet. He labelled the rumour as “fake news” and accused unnamed individuals of attempting to stir confusion within the administration.

Senator Akume himself responded through the OSGF, stating that the President retained full confidence in his capacity to implement the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “There is no truth to the claims of my removal. President Tinubu has not expressed any dissatisfaction with my work,” he said, urging Nigerians to disregard such rumours.

Further dismissing the reports, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Northern States chapter, on 30 June, warned that the rumour may have been a calculated attempt to incite religious tensions. The association called for caution and urged the media and the public to verify facts before spreading sensitive information.

Senator Akume was appointed SGF in June 2023 as part of President Tinubu’s initial cabinet. His continued service, according to official sources, remains integral to the administration’s governance and reform agenda.

The Federal Government has since reiterated the importance of responsible journalism and digital media conduct, encouraging citizens to rely on verified sources to avoid falling prey to disinformation and political mischief.