The Rivers State Government has debunked reports claiming that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu were summoned by the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.).

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary of the Special Services Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dede Friday, the administration described the reports as false, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and incite panic.

“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.

“One such fake announcement falsely claims that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, the suspended Governor of Rivers State, and the Deputy Governor, Prof. Mrs. Ngozi Nma Odu, were summoned to a meeting at the Government House on Friday, April 18, 2025.”

The government emphasised that no such summons was issued, and warned the public against spreading unverified information.

“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 similar misinformation, as they are the work of troublemakers seeking to destabilise the state.”

The statement advised residents and media organisations to rely only on official communication channels, including the Rivers State Government website (www.riversstate.gov.ng), verified social media platforms such as the official Rivers State Government Facebook page, official press releases from the Governor’s Office and the SSG, and approved traditional media outlets.

“Please disregard unverified sources and always confirm information from credible, official platforms,” the statement added.