President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Olamilekan Abayomi
The Presidency has denied allegations of an attempted poisoning attack on President Bola Tinubu, labeling the claims as “fake news”. According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, no kitchen staff at Aso Rock were arrested or involved in any poisoning plot.
A viral video circulating on social media claimed a presidential chef was arrested over an alleged plot to poison President Tinubu, prompting swift intervention by a special police squad and heightened security measures. However, Onanuga dismissed the report, stating “No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested. No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu.
The video reportedly showed scenes from the presidential villa, with a voiceover narrating an alleged security breach involving a presidential chef. Authorities allegedly moved quickly after receiving credible reports of a possible threat to the president’s safety, leading to a coordinated investigation.
Security agencies urged the public to remain calm, emphasizing that allegations don’t imply guilt until due process. The Presidency reassured Nigerians that President Tinubu is safe and the claims are baseless.
This isn’t the first time false narratives have targeted the President or Aso Rock, highlighting concerns about misinformation in the digital space. The Presidency warned against spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary panic or damage public trust.
Onanuga and another presidential aide, Temitope Ajayi, described the video as entirely unfounded and fabricated, urging Nigerians to disregard it.
The alleged plot comes months after the military foiled a coup plot, leading to arrests and court-martial proceedings.
The Presidency hasn’t provided further details on the origin of the misleading video or potential motives behind its circulation.
