The Bayelsa State Government has threatened legal action against Leadership and Punch newspapers over reports it described as false, defamatory and damaging to its reputation.
The government accused both newspapers of publishing stories falsely attributing a statement to the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai.
The disputed reports claimed the state government dismissed allegations of rising poverty raised by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Another publication allegedly portrayed the government as shifting responsibility for poverty in the state to the Federal Government.
In a rejoinder issued on Sunday, Koku-Obiyai categorically denied issuing, signing or authorising any statement responding to the PDP’s allegations on Friday, July 3, 2026.
She described the reports as entirely fabricated, insisting that no official statement was released by her office on the matter.
“There was no need to dignify the factional PDP’s baseless assertions with a response,” the commissioner stated.
She challenged the journalists and media organisations behind the publications to produce the purported statement, maintaining that no such document exists.
The commissioner said the reports misrepresented the position of the Bayelsa State Government and misled the public.
According to her, Governor Douye Diri’s administration enjoys a cordial and productive relationship with the President and the Federal Government.
She said attempts to portray the government as blaming the Federal Government for poverty were false and intended to undermine that relationship.
Koku-Obiyai further alleged that the factional PDP was pursuing political relevance through misinformation and false narratives.
She stressed that the government would not be drawn into responding to what it described as unfounded political propaganda.
The commissioner disclosed that the state government would formally demand an immediate retraction from Leadership and Punch newspapers.
She warned that failure to retract the publications could leave the government with no option but to institute legal proceedings for libel and the dissemination of falsehood.
The government maintained that it remained committed to informing the public through verified official channels and would take necessary legal steps to protect its reputation against false publications.