The Rivers State Government has firmly denied viral claims suggesting that suspended Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, were summoned by the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), describing the report as not only false but maliciously concocted to mislead the public and stir unrest.
In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by Dede Friday, the Permanent Secretary of the Special Services Bureau in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the administration dissociated itself from what it referred to as a fraudulent and misleading announcement being circulated across social media platforms.
“The Rivers State Government has become aware of fraudulent announcements circulating on social media, falsely attributed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government,” the statement read.
One of the widely circulated messages, which the government says is entirely fabricated, claimed that Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Odu were directed to appear for a meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday, April 18, 2025. According to the government, this claim has no basis in truth and should be disregarded by the public.
The statement further emphasised that the so-called announcement did not emanate from any recognised organ of the state, branding it the handiwork of mischief-makers bent on destabilising the already fragile political atmosphere in the state.
“The Rivers State Government categorically states that this announcement is fake and did not originate from any official source,” the statement clarified. “The public is urged to disregard this and similar misinformation, as they are the work of troublemakers seeking to destabilise the state.”
In urging calm among residents, the government called on citizens, stakeholders, and the media to rely strictly on authenticated channels for information. These include the official Rivers State Government website, www.riversstate.gov.ng, the verified social media accounts of the state government, official press releases from the Office of the Governor and the Secretary to the State Government, as well as reputable media houses with a record of factual reporting.
Citizens were also advised to be wary of unverified sources and refrain from sharing unconfirmed information that could cause public confusion or heighten political tensions.
As the state navigates through a turbulent political period, the government reiterated its commitment to transparency, stability, and the protection of democratic institutions, stressing that only communications from duly authorised platforms should be treated as credible.
