The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has firmly denied reports alleging that he summoned suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, for questioning.
The claim, which gained traction on social media platforms, was dismissed by the state government as “false and misleading.”
In an official statement issued on Wednesday by Dede Friday, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Ibas condemned the reports as “fraudulent announcements” deliberately circulated 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,” the statement read.
“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 government emphasized that the information did not originate from any official source and should be completely disregarded.
“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 continued.
To counter the spread of misinformation, the government urged citizens to rely exclusively on verified sources for updates. 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.
The public was also encouraged to verify any circulating information before sharing and to remain calm and vigilant during this sensitive political period.
