The Rivers state government debunked claims by the state’s chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) that Governor Siminalayi Fubara dismantled the official portrait of President Bola Tinubu from Government House.

A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr Honour Sirawoo, said the government had no policy, directive, or intention that disrespected Tinubu or the authority of the Federal Government.

Sirawoo 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.”

He insisted that the insinuation that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” was misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and unsupported by verifiable facts and should be discountenanced.

Sirawoo said it was also regrettable that a body that was 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 Rivers required calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

Sirawoo 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 Nation)