Rivers Govt Reacts to Claims Fubara Removed Tinubu’s Portrait from Govt House

Rivers State Government has rejected claims that Governor Siminalayi Fubara ordered the removal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s official portrait from Government House, Port Harcourt.

The government described the allegation as false and politically motivated. It said there was no action taken by the governor or any state agency to disrespect the President or the Federal Government.

The denial followed a statement credited to the Rivers chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), which accused the governor of deliberately pulling down the President’s portrait from official premises.

In a response issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr Honour Sirawoo, the state government said the accusation had no basis in fact.

Sirawoo stated that there was no policy or instruction from the governor that supported such conduct. He added that the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government remained cordial and productive.

He said, “As a matter of fact, the State Government and the Governor, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoy a more robust and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda that is yielding positive impacts on the lives of the citizenry and the state.”

The government insisted that suggestions of hostility or defiance toward the President were deliberate attempts to mislead the public.

Sirawoo faulted the NYCN for what he described as reckless communication capable of inflaming political tension in the state.

He said the narrative that Governor Fubara acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” was dangerous and unsupported by evidence.

According to him, such claims were capable of creating unnecessary political conflict at a time when the state needed stability and cooperation.

Sirawoo also criticized the tone of the accusation, warning that youth organizations should play a unifying role rather than fuel division.

He said, “The Rivers State Government, therefore, calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly our esteemed and hardworking Youths to disregard and dissociate themselves from elements that are bent on driving divisive rhetoric and falsehood in politicising matters.

“Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective desire for peace and progress.

“Members of the public are urged to be wary of inflammatory statements and not give vent to those fifth columnists in their dubious agenda to cause division.”

The state government stressed that no symbol of the Presidency had been removed from any official facility. It urged residents to verify information before spreading political claims.

Officials warned that misinformation could worsen existing political tension and distract from governance and development.

Moreover, the government reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Federal Government in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

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