UPDATED: Presidency debunks alleged plot to poison Tinubu, labels report 'fake'
The Presidency on Sunday firmly debunked a viral report alleging that a kitchen staff member at the State House had been arrested over a purported attempt to poison President Bola
- …no Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested -- Onanuga
The Presidency on Sunday firmly debunked a viral report alleging that a kitchen staff member at the State House had been arrested over a purported attempt to poison President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
However, in a post on his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the claim as outright false on Sunday.
“No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested. No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu. Please ignore this fake news being disseminated by this video,” Onanuga wrote.
His clarification came moments after the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Tope Ajayi, had dismissed the allegation in a brief response to an enquiry by The Nation newspaper.
“Fake,” Ajayi said tersely when contacted on the matter.
The rebuttals followed the circulation of a video and accompanying reports on some online platforms alleging that an unnamed chef attached to the Presidential Villa in Abuja had been apprehended in connection with an alleged plot to poison the President.
The report, which failed to cite any credible source or provide verifiable details, quickly gained traction across social media, triggering speculation and concern in some quarters.
Read Also: Presidency debunks report of alleged plot to poison Tinubu, describes claim as fake
However, the Presidency’s swift and categorical denial put to rest the rumour, describing it as baseless and urging the public to disregard the misleading content.
There was no indication from any security agency of an arrest, investigation, or security breach related to the allegation as of press time.
Government officials have repeatedly cautioned against the spread of unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic and undermining public trust in state institutions.
