The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (Rtd.), has firmly refuted widespread claims on social media suggesting that he summoned the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, to a purported meeting scheduled for Friday, April 18, 2025.
Describing the report as baseless, misleading, and crafted to incite unrest, Ibas urged the public to exercise caution and not fall prey to fabricated news engineered by elements seeking to create panic and destabilize the state.
The denial was formally conveyed in an official statement released on Wednesday by Sir Dede Sampson Friday, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
According to the statement, “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 fake news in question reportedly claimed that Governor Fubara and his deputy had been summoned to the Government House to provide explanations concerning certain appointments and administrative decisions. The government has since dismissed the report in its entirety, labelling it as entirely fictitious and unauthorized.
“The Rivers State Government categorically states that this announcement is fake and did not originate from any official source,” the statement emphasized. “The public is urged to disregard this and any similar misinformation, as they are the work of troublemakers seeking to destabilize the state.”
In light of the growing wave of misinformation, the Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment to transparency and credible communication. Citizens are advised to verify all government-related information through official platforms.
“For accurate and trustworthy updates, the public is encouraged to rely solely on the official communication channels of the state government, including the Rivers State Government website: www.riversstate.gov.ng,” the statement concluded.
The government also assured the public that it remains focused on maintaining peace, law, and order across all sectors in Rivers State, despite attempts by faceless elements to incite confusion and disaffection through social media propaganda.