…Praises Bloggers Who Declined Offers
A Rivers-based advocacy group, Concerned Rivers People (CRP), has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of sponsoring social media influencers to run a smear campaign against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by CRP’s Director of Communication, Robinson Uke. According to the group, the purported online campaign was aimed at tarnishing the image of the former Rivers State governor before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Uke claimed that the use of bloggers and influencers by public officials to shape political narratives has become widespread, alleging that Governor Fubara deliberately deployed such tactics to discredit the FCT minister.
“Bloggers engaged by public officials to influence politics in Nigeria has become the norm. We are aware of deliberate moves by Governor Fubara to denigrate the hardworking FCT minister before Mr President,” the statement read.
The group, however, commended some influencers who reportedly rejected the alleged offers, noting that they maintained that Wike had not attacked the Rivers governor, either directly or indirectly.
CRP further stated that Wike’s position on the political crisis in Rivers State had been consistent, quoting him as insisting that “an agreement is an agreement” and urging Governor Fubara to respect prior understandings.
The statement also alleged that the Rivers State government was expending public funds on social media campaigns without legislative backing, raising what the group described as ethical and legal concerns.
“Lavishing hard-earned taxpayers’ money on social media influencers across the country without an Appropriation Act undermines transparency and accountability in governance,” Uke said.
CRP referenced recent moves by the Federal Government to demand clearer disclosures for sponsored online content, citing concerns over misinformation and manipulation of public opinion.
The group concluded by thanking bloggers who “stood by the truth” and refused to participate in the alleged campaign, while offering a pointed message to Governor Fubara, invoking an African proverb to caution against political conflict.
Efforts to obtain reactions from the Rivers State Government and the office of the FCT Minister were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.