ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (Rtd.), has debunked claims circulating on social media that he summoned suspended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, for a meeting scheduled for Friday, April 18, 2025.
In a strong rebuttal issued Wednesday, Ibas described the reports as completely false and misleading, warning the public against the dangers of fake news intentionally crafted to incite panic and destabilize the state.
The denial was made public in an official statement signed by Sir Dede Sampson Friday, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
“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”, the statement read.
The fake announcement falsely claimed that Governor Fubara and his deputy were summoned to the Government House to provide explanations regarding recent appointments and other official matters.
However, the state government firmly dismissed the claim, labeling it as “FAKE” and confirming that it did not originate from any legitimate source.
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“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 destabilize the state,” the statement emphasized.
To curb the spread of such misinformation, the government urged the public to rely strictly on verified communication channels for updates, including: The official Rivers State Government website: www.riversstate.gov.ng
Authorized social media handles: Rivers State Government (Facebook); others are under review for relaunch
Press releases from the Office of the Governor and the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and recognized traditional media outlets
It noted that for further inquiries or clarification, citizens are encouraged to contact the Office of the SSG directly via +234 913 574 8442.
The government concluded by appealing for unity and calm amid the ongoing political developments in the state and advised the public to always verify information before sharing.
“We urge everyone to stay united, remain calm, and verify all information from official sources during this critical time in our state’s political climate,” the statement added.