Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, refuted claims that kitchen staff at Aso Rock tried to poison Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria. He made the denial on March 1, 2026, via a post on X. The statement addressed a circulating video that alleged an arrest.
Onanuga’s Direct Rebuttal
Onanuga stated, “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.”
He posted the message in response to online rumors. The claim suggested a chef attached to the Presidential Villa faced detention over a poisoning plot.
In addition, Onanuga urged the public to disregard the information. Sources indicated the video spread rapidly on social media platforms. His clarification aimed to halt misinformation.
Additional Official Denials
Tope Ajayi, senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, also dismissed the allegation. He responded to inquiries and labeled the report as false. Ajayi provided a brief statement to confirm no such incident occurred.
Furthermore, the presidency emphasized the fabrication of the story. Officials noted the absence of any arrests or attempts. They described the viral content as baseless.
Impact on Public Discourse
The debunking came amid widespread sharing of the video. Users on platforms like Facebook and Instagram discussed the claim before the official response. Onanuga’s post received significant attention.
Meanwhile the incident highlighted challenges with fake news in Nigeria. Authorities encouraged verification of information from reliable sources. The quick denial prevented further escalation.
