The Rivers State Government has rejected claims made by the All Progressives Congress that it funded protesters who vandalized a billboard at the party’s state office in Port Harcourt on Monday.

In an interview with Channels Television, Rivers State Commissioner for Information Joe Johnson described the allegations, presented by Tony Okocha, the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman in Rivers State, as “baseless.”

Johnson stated, “The Governor Siminalayi Fubara-led government is too occupied with the management of the state to consider such an act.”

He highlighted Governor Fubara’s actions during the protest, saying, “Governor Fubara demonstrated good leadership by addressing the protesters on the first day of the demonstration, which further reduced the perceived tension in the state.”

Johnson also criticized the APC Caretaker Committee, led by Tony Okocha, calling it “factional and a one-man-show.” He accused the committee of having “inordinate ambitions” and said that Okocha and his supporters were frustrated because their attempt to use mercenaries to disrupt state peace failed.

“The destructive tendencies are not in our bloodline or the character of Governor Fubara,” Johnson emphasized. He added, “We know those who have destructive tendencies in their gene. The allegation by the APC is the last kick of a dying horse.”

The statement from the Rivers State Government comes amid ongoing tensions between the APC and the state administration.