Gbajabiamila-
Susan Abayomi
The Presidency has cleared Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, of allegations that he forged an appointment letter, bringing an end to a controversy that trended on social media and in parts of the press. In a statement, the Presidency described the claims as false, malicious, and intended to distract from government work. It said a review of records showed no evidence of forgery and that the document in question was never issued or signed by Gbajabiamila or his office.
The allegation emerged after a letter purportedly bearing Gbajabiamila’s signature circulated online. It claimed to be an appointment into a federal position and was shared widely with insinuations of official misconduct. The Chief of Staff’s office quickly disowned the letter, stating that it did not originate from the Presidency and that the signature and letterhead had been falsified. Officials also noted inconsistencies in formatting and protocol that did not match standard State House communications.
The Presidency’s clarification emphasized that all appointments routed through the Office of the Chief of Staff follow a documented process involving vetting, approval, and issuance through appropriate channels. According to the statement, no such process was initiated for the individual named in the alleged letter, and there is no record of it in the office’s registry. The government said it would not be drawn into responding to fabricated documents designed to create confusion.
Gbajabiamila himself has faced similar disinformation attempts in the past, and the Presidency said this latest case fits a pattern of forging signatures and letterheads to create fake appointments or directives. It warned Nigerians to verify any document claiming to come from the Chief of Staff’s office through official State House communication channels. The statement added that members of the public should be wary of fraudsters who exploit the names of senior officials to solicit money or favors.
The clearance is significant because the Office of the Chief of Staff coordinates policy implementation, appointments, and access to the President. Any credible allegation of forgery would raise questions about the integrity of that process. By moving quickly to debunk the claim, the Presidency aimed to protect the office’s credibility and reassure civil servants, appointees, and the public that its procedures remain intact.
Legal and security agencies have also been alerted to investigate the source of the fake letter. The government said it would pursue those responsible for producing and circulating the document, noting that forgery and impersonation of public officials are criminal offenses under Nigerian law. It stressed that the spread of false documents not only defames individuals but can also be used to defraud unsuspecting citizens.
For Gbajabiamila, the episode highlights the risks that come with a high-profile role in a digital age where documents can be easily manipulated and shared. As Chief of Staff, he sits at the center of government operations and is frequently targeted by impersonation schemes. The Presidency’s public exoneration is intended to close the matter and prevent the false narrative from gaining further traction.
Overall, the Presidency’s position is that the alleged forged appointment has no basis in fact and should be disregarded. It reiterated its commitment to transparency in appointments and urged Nigerians to rely only on verified official announcements. With the record set straight, the focus, it said, will return to the administration’s policy and governance agenda.
