The Presidency has reacted angrily to an online news report claiming that President Bola Tinubu has sacked the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubaker; Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, and the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
There were viral reports on Tuesday that Tinubu has sacked the three ministers over alleged poor performance.
However, while describing the report as fake news, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga directed the arrest of those behind the report.
In a post on his X account, Onanuga wrote:
“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”
“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.”