Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has firmly denied reports claiming he summoned suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, for questioning.
The story, which has been widely circulated on social media, was labeled “false and misleading” by the state government.
In an official statement released Wednesday by Dede Friday, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Ibas described the reports as “fraudulent announcements” intentionally spread to incite unrest.
“The Rivers State Government has been made aware of fake announcements circulating on social media, falsely attributed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government,” the statement said. “These malicious fabrications aim to mislead the public, spark panic, and disrupt peace in the state.”
One such false claim alleged that the Governor and his deputy were summoned to Government House to explain certain appointments and state matters—a claim the government has dismissed as completely untrue.
“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 advised to ignore this and other similar misinformation, which are the handiwork of individuals attempting to destabilize the state.”
To prevent the spread of false information, the government urged citizens to rely only on official communication channels. These include the Rivers State Government website (www.riversstate.gov.ng), verified social media accounts such as the official Facebook page, press releases from the Governor’s Office and the SSG, and reputable traditional media outlets.
The statement concluded by encouraging the public to verify all information before sharing and to remain calm during this sensitive political period.