By Ayo Ayodele
The Rivers State Government has dismissed reports claiming that Governor Siminalayi Fubara removed President Bola Tinubu’s official portrait from the Government House in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Honour Sirawoo, described the allegation as false, misleading, and irresponsible.
Sirawoo was responding to a statement allegedly issued by the Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria and credited to one Bestman Innocent Amadi, which accused the governor of disrespecting the President.
He clarified that the state government has no policy or intention that undermines the authority of the President or the Federal Government, stressing that Governor Fubara currently enjoys a cordial and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the insinuation that the governor acted out of ingratitude or disrespect is unfounded and unsupported by verifiable facts.
The government expressed concern that groups expected to promote unity would circulate claims capable of inflaming tensions, adding that Rivers State needs calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership at this time.
Sirawoo called on residents, especially youths, to disregard divisive rhetoric and warned against the activities of individuals bent on causing discord in the state.