Rivers State Government Reacts to Reports of 1,000 Civil Service Recruitment, Appointment of Wike’s Ally as RIWAMA Chairman

The Rivers State Government has reacted to recent reports claiming the recruitment of 1,000 individuals into the state’s civil service and the appointment of a close ally of former Governor Nyesom Wike as the Chairman of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA).

The reports, which circulated widely on Thursday, alleged that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd), had approved the recruitment of 1,000 people into the civil service. The statement, which appeared to be signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), further claimed that applicants should submit their applications through an online portal that had not yet been activated. The Rivers State Government swiftly dismissed these claims as false and misleading.

In another report, a statement falsely attributed to the SSG claimed that Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, the former Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area and a known ally of Wike, had been appointed as the new Sole Administrator of RIWAMA. This claim was also rejected by the office of the SSG.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the SSG, Sir Dede Friday, the Rivers State Government strongly warned the public to disregard such information. The government confirmed that all official communications from the office of the SSG follow proper channels and are issued through legitimate sources.

The statement further emphasized that anyone involved in spreading false information with the intent to create confusion or disaffection will be dealt with appropriately once identified.