Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Port Harcourt, Nigeria — The Rivers State Government has dismissed social media allegations that Governor Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt, describing the claim as misleading, irresponsible and inflammatory.
The controversy began after a post circulated on Facebook, credited to Bestman Innocent Amadi of the Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), asserting that the governor had taken down the President’s official portrait — an act the poster interpreted as disrespectful to the nation’s leader.
In an official response issued on Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, firmly rejected the allegation, saying the state government “has no policy, directive, or intention” that disrespects the President or undermines the authority of the federal government. Sirawoo emphasised that the claim is unsupported by verifiable facts and called on the public to discountenance the report.
The statement highlighted the importance of responsible communication, particularly from organisations that are expected to foster unity and peace. Sirawoo described it as “regrettable that a supposed body that is expected to promote youth unity and peace would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of heating up the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.”
According to the government, Governor Fubara continues to enjoy a collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government, working constructively with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which officials say is yielding positive impacts on the state’s socio-economic development. The response underlined that insinuations of “ingratitude” or disrespect toward the President are unfounded and should not be amplified.
Observers say the emergence of the claim comes amid heightened political activity in Rivers State, where debates over governance and leadership have attracted public and partisan scrutiny. The official rebuttal seeks to quell tensions by reinforcing the governor’s commitment to maintaining respect for federal institutions and national symbols.
State authorities also urged well-meaning citizens, especially youths, to be wary of divisive narratives and misinformation online, advocating for peaceful engagement and constructive discourse as crucial to sustaining political stability and social cohesion in Rivers.
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