NIGERIA, UYO – The Akwa Ibom State Government on Friday dismissed a viral social-media report claiming Governor Umo Bassey Eno planned to declare a “Biafra Remembrance Day,” describing the post as baseless and malicious.
Officials said the content was “a fabrication from deranged minds,” insisting the material had no link to the governor, the administration or any ongoing public-policy conversation within the state.
Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, in a statement published through the governor’s media office, said the government considered the rumour a dangerous attempt to mislead residents and destabilise public trust.
He explained that Akwa Ibom had remained peaceful and had not recorded any secession-related agitation capable of prompting such speculation, stressing that the state’s identity was firmly rooted in national loyalty.
According to Umanah, “Akwa Ibom State remains a peaceful, safe and secure state, and there have been no agitations from any quarter to warrant such an irresponsible claim.”
The statement also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the unity of Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that no official meeting, memo or private discussion had considered any declaration relating to Biafra.
Government sources added that the administration might pursue legal action against individuals or groups who knowingly publish falsehoods capable of inciting fear or creating ethnic suspicion among residents.
Umanah warned that the state would “not hesitate to take appropriate action” against citizens who weaponise social media for political mischief or attempts to erode public confidence in government institutions.
Media-ethics analysts say the incident reflects a rising pattern of politically driven misinformation across Nigeria, especially targeting state executives and security-related topics during tense national periods.
In September 2024, a similar false advisory circulated in the Southeast, alleging that several governors planned to recognise an “IPOB Heroes Week,” a claim later debunked by the governments of Enugu and Ebonyi.
Digital-rights groups also recalled a fake memo in early 2025 claiming the Nigerian Army had approved a “sit-at-home compliance operation,” a statement the Army dismissed as criminal impersonation aimed at disrupting economic activities.
Experts argue that these episodes highlight the ethical responsibility of citizens to verify information before sharing, especially when such claims involve security, national unity or inter-ethnic relations.
A lecturer in media ethics at the University of Uyo, who requested anonymity, noted that deliberate misinformation not only misdirects the public but also pressures government systems into constantly defending their legitimacy.
He said situational ethics in journalism demands accuracy, context and public interest, adding that misinformation undermines democratic participation by replacing verified facts with conjecture and manipulation.
Meanwhile, the state government also announced Governor Umo Eno’s congratulatory message to Senator Ita Solomon Enang on his nomination as an ambassador by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a message released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, the governor expressed gratitude to the President for recognising an Akwa Ibom indigene for such a strategic national assignment.
Governor Eno stated, “Let me, on behalf of the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State, thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for nominating our son, Senator Ita Enang, as an ambassador.”
He added that he was confident Senator Enang would carry the values of “hard work, diligence, loyalty and integrity” to his future diplomatic posting when confirmed by relevant national authorities.
Government aides described the nomination as a milestone for Akwa Ibom, arguing that the state had consistently produced individuals with proven capacity to serve in national and international roles.
Senator Enang, a former presidential adviser on National Assembly Matters, is widely regarded as an experienced policy negotiator with long years of legislative and administrative exposure.
Political observers in the state said the governor’s congratulatory message demonstrated a maturing political climate where governance priorities supersede party differences, reinforcing a culture of shared progress.
They noted that the simultaneous handling of misinformation and official engagement reflected a government committed to transparency, rule of law and responsible communication with the public.
The state urged residents to rely on official channels for updates and avoid platforms that circulate unverified narratives capable of fuelling tension or misrepresenting government intentions.
Authorities encouraged citizens to report suspicious online content to security agencies or the Ministry of Information to support ongoing efforts to curb the spread of harmful misinformation.
Officials concluded that maintaining peace and unity remained a collective responsibility and reminded residents that the government would continue to safeguard the state’s reputation through firm, lawful responses to falsehoods.
Readers are advised to follow this platform for more verified updates as the situation develops and additional government statements emerge.
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