‘I have not been appointed as Sanwo-Olu’s Chief of staff’ -Tayo Ayinde debunks news

The Chairman of the Sanwo-Olu/ Hamzat inauguration committee, Me Tayo Ayinde has refuted claims that he has been appointed as the Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. 

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An angry Tayo Ayinde in a press release blasted journalists who peddled the news as beer parlour journalists.

Ayinde who was the Director General of the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Independent Campaign Group in his press release categorically stayed that “the news flying around is a lie and can only be described as beer parlour journalism.” 

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He further disclosed that Sanwo-Olu is yet to make an appointment since he was sworn in on Wednesday.

“Let me state emphatically that His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has not made any cabinet appointment. The only official assignment undertaken so far by him was taking of the oath of office and inspection of the Guard of Honour,” Tayo Ayinde said.

Read his full statement below…

AYINDE DEBUNKS RUMOUR OF APPOINTMENT, ADVISES JOURNALISTS TO VERIFY INFORMATION

My attention has been drawn to a news item circulating in some quarters of the media, especially digital media, where it’s reported that I have been appointed as the Chief of Staff by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

My initial reaction was to ignore the news and treat it like other fake news that usually dies a natural death. But upon further reflection, I decided that there is need to set the record straight.

Let me state emphatically that His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has not made any cabinet appointment. The only official assignment undertaken so far by him was taking of the oath of office and inspection of the Guard of Honour.

Therefore, the news flying around is a lie and can only be described as beer parlour journalism.

For the avoidance of doubt, I served as the Director General of the Independent Campaign Group and later as chairman of the inauguration committee, which remains my last assignment to date.

Finally, I wish to implore media professionals, particularly those in online journalism to kindly verify information before publishing so as not to cause embarrassment for the subject of their news stories.

 

Signed.

Tayo Akinmade Ayinde

Chairman, Inauguration Committee

30 May, 2019.