The Rivers State Government, led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has categorically denied circulating claims that the official portrait of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was removed from the Government House in Port Harcourt. The denial came as a formal response to accusations circulating on social media and attributed to an individual claimed to represent a state youth body.
Officials from the state’s Ministry of Information and Communications said the allegation was unfounded and misleading, urging the public to disregard narratives they described as aimed at inciting division and political tensions in the oil-rich South-South state. According to the government’s statement, there is no policy, order or directive from the administration that disrespects the nation’s president or the authority of the Federal Government
The denial comes amid a backdrop of growing political stress in Rivers State, where factions within the political landscape have been at odds over governance issues since the lifting of an earlier state of emergency declared in 2025. State officials reiterated that the relationship with the Federal Government remains collaborative and that claims to the contrary are unsubstantiated.
Political observers say such disputes often gain traction on digital platforms, especially in states with ongoing contention between local and national party actors. The denial by the Rivers State government aims to quell misinformation and maintain political stability as the state navigates complex governance challenges.
