By Julius Uche | Fact Frontier.
Click here to read more about the reporter.
The Rivers State Government has strongly denied allegations that Governor Siminalayi Fubara ordered the removal of President Bola Tinubu's official portrait from the Government House, calling the claim a deliberate attempt to sow discord.
The controversy erupted after a youth leader publicly accused the governor of disrespecting the president, an allegation that has been met with an official and forceful rebuttal from state authorities.
The Official Denial
On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the Rivers State Government issued a clear statement through the Ministry of Information and Communications. Honour Sirawoo, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, addressed the media to dispel what he termed a dangerous rumor.
The government labeled the allegation as
misleading, irresponsible, and inflammatory.Sirawoo stated there is
no policy, directive, or intentionby the Fubara administration to show disrespect to President Tinubu. Instead, he emphasized that Governor Fubara currently enjoys a "robust and collaborative relationship" with the federal government.
These claims are nothing but the handiwork of fifth columnists seeking to create artificial tension where none exists,Sirawoo said, according to reports. The statement aimed to shut down speculation that might suggest a rift between the state and federal leadership.
Source of the Controversy
The accusation originated from Bestman Innocent Amadi, who was identified in reports as the Rivers State Chapter Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria. Amadi claimed that Governor Fubara had ordered the removal of President Tinubu's portrait from the Government House in Port Harcourt.
This allegation quickly gained traction on social media and some news platforms, prompting the government's swift response. The youth leader's statement framed the alleged act as a sign of disrespect toward the presidency and the ruling party.
Read also:
• Did President Tinubu really fall in Turkey due to health challenges?
The Broader Political Landscape
This incident occurs against a backdrop of prolonged political instability in Rivers State. For over a year, Governor Fubara has been engaged in a complex power struggle with his predecessor and former political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister.
Their feud has triggered multiple political crises, including:
•· An impeachment attempt against Governor Fubara by state lawmakers aligned with Wike.
•· The burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in late 2023.
•· A division within the state's legislative body, leading to parallel sittings.
•· Mass defections of lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This ongoing conflict has created an atmosphere where political symbolism—like the display of official portraits—carries significant weight. Both sides have previously used symbolic acts to demonstrate allegiance or defiance in their protracted struggle for control of Nigeria's oil-rich state.
The Power of Symbolism
In Nigerian politics, the display of presidential portraits in government offices is more than mere decoration; it is a visible sign of recognition and respect for federal authority. The alleged removal of such a portrait would therefore be interpreted as a serious political statement.
Interestingly, around the same time as this controversy, social media circulated photographs showing Governor Fubara personally hanging President Tinubu's portrait on a wall. While the timing and location of these photographs could not be independently verified by this report, their circulation suggests an effort to visually counter the narrative of disrespect.
Furthermore, on January 27, 2026, Premium Times reported that Governor Fubara visited President Tinubu in Lagos, indicating that direct communication channels between both leaders remain open despite the political turbulence in Rivers State.
Why Such Rumors Gain Traction
Political analysts note that rumors like the portrait controversy spread quickly in Rivers State due to several factors:
1. Heightened Political Tension:
The state has been polarized by the Fubara-Wike feud, making supporters on both sides quick to believe negative claims about their opponents.
2. History of Misinformation:
Previous false claims have circulated about the conflict. For instance, a video of Fubara making strong comments about the State Assembly was recirculated recently but was actually from May 2024. Another false claim that Fubara was arrested for disobeying Tinubu was also debunked.
3. Symbolic Politics:
In conflicts where direct confrontation might be costly, symbolic acts—and allegations about them—become proxies for larger battles over legitimacy and authority.
The state government's statement directly addressed this context, warning against "those who profit from chaos" and their attempts to "mislead the public with fabricated stories."
Looking Ahead
As the political situation in Rivers State continues to evolve, observers expect that both symbolic gestures and factual claims will remain contested. The government's forceful denial of the portrait removal suggests awareness of how such narratives can influence public perception and deepen divisions.
The underlying power struggle between the state's competing political factions shows no signs of immediate resolution, meaning similar controversies may emerge in the future. For now, the official record stands clear: the Rivers State Government denies removing the president's portrait and maintains it respects federal authority.
For residents of Rivers State, this episode represents another moment in an ongoing political drama that has diverted attention from governance while deepening concerns about the state's stability. As one political commentator noted,
When portraits become political weapons, it reflects how deeply symbolic the conflict has become.
