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.  

He urged media organisations to uphold the ethics of journalism by verifying information before publication and advised the public to rely on official sources for government-related updates.

As of the time of this report, all three ministers named in the false story continue to serve in their respective roles. 

The Presidency has made no official announcement regarding any cabinet reshuffle. 

The call for criminalising fake news is likely to spark national conversation about the balance between free expression and the regulation of harmful content online—a debate that continues to gain urgency in Nigeria’s evolving media landscape.