The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (retd.), has denied reports claiming that he summoned the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, for questioning.
The claim, widely circulated on social media, was described by the state government as “false and misleading.”
In an official statement issued on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dede Friday, Ibas described the reports as “fraudulent announcements” deliberately spread to incite unrest.
“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.
“These malicious fabrications are designed to mislead the public, create panic, and disrupt the peace in Rivers State.
“One such false report claimed that Governor Fubara and his deputy had been summoned to the Government House to explain certain appointments and other state matters,” the statement read.
The government dismissed this as fake, emphasizing that it did not come from any official source.
“The Rivers State Government categorically states that this announcement is fake and did not originate from any official source.
“The public is urged to disregard this and any similar misinformation, as they are the work of troublemakers seeking to destabilise the state,” the statement added.
To combat further misinformation, the government urged the public to rely solely on verified channels for information.
These include the official Rivers State Government website (www.riversstate.gov.ng), authorized social media pages such as the Rivers State Government Facebook page, press releases from the Governor’s Office and the SSG, and approved traditional media outlets.
Citizens were also encouraged to verify all information before sharing and to maintain calm during this sensitive political period.
The PUNCH
