Rivers denies summoning suspended Gov Fubara, labels report ‘fake’

Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers State, has firmly denied reports claiming that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, were summoned for questioning regarding their previous appointments.

The denial follows social media reports on Tuesday that alleged Fubara was called to appear before a panel at the Government House. These claims surfaced in the wake of the emergency rule imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu on March 18 due to a prolonged political crisis.

Alongside the emergency declaration, Tinubu suspended the governor, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. Ibas, a retired naval officer, was appointed to oversee the state as sole administrator.

In an official statement released Wednesday, Dede Friday, the permanent secretary in the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), described the circulating claims as “malicious fabrications.”

“The Rivers State Government has become aware of fraudulent announcements falsely attributed to the SSG’s office,” the statement read. “These are intended to mislead the public, cause panic, and destabilize the state.”

Friday urged the public to disregard such reports, calling them the work of “troublemakers.” He reiterated that no such summons was issued and warned against spreading misinformation.