Akwa Ibom State Government has cautioned the public not to patronise hawkers of unauthorised portraits of President Muhammadu Buhari, and that of the state Governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, being sold openly on the streets of Uyo and other parts of the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Mr. Oliver Udoukpo, said: “Government does not authorise any individual or group to print for sale, portraits of the President or the governor.

“To hawk the portraits of the President or the governor, as articles of trade on the road sides, wittingly or unwittingly demeans such exalting offices. This cannot be tolerated by government.

“Security operatives have been notified and will henceforth apprehend anybody hawking, for sale, the portraits of the President and the governor.”

Udoukpo pointed out that “the official and authorised portraits of the President and the governor are available for collection by relevant organisations, institutions and agencies, free of charge” at the state Ministry of Information and Communications, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Uyo.

•Photo shows Governor Emmanuel.