The Presidency yesterday dismissed as false a viral report claiming that a kitchen staff member at the State House had been arrested over an alleged attempt to poison Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The report, which circulated widely on social media, alleged that the incident occurred within the Presidential Villa, popularly known as Aso Rock. However, presidential aides described the claim as fake news intended to mislead the public.
In a post on his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, categorically denied the allegation. “No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested. No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu. Please ignore this fake news being disseminated by a video,” Onanuga wrote.
He urged Nigerians to disregard the viral content, warning against the spread of unverified and sensational information capable of causing unnecessary panic. Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Tope Ajayi, dismissed the allegation, affirming that there was no truth to the claim. The Presidency’s swift rebuttal comes amid growing concerns over the spread of misinformation on social media platforms.
Officials reiterated the need for members of the public to verify information from credible sources before sharing. There has been no official report from any security agency indicating an arrest or investigation related to the alleged incident, further reinforcing the Presidency’s position that the story is entirely fabricated.
Observers note that high-profile public figures often become targets of misinformation campaigns, particularly in the digital age where unverified reports can quickly gain traction. The Presidency maintained that President Tinubu continues to carry out his official duties without disruption, urging citizens to remain calm and vigilant against fake news.
