The Rivers State Government has denied claims that it blocked organisers of a pro-President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rally, led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, from using the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, on Friday, saying the facility is currently under reconstruction and unsafe for public use.
Wike and the Chairman of the Renewed Hope Agenda in Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, had accused the state government of refusing their request to use the stadium for the inauguration of coordinators of the Renewed Hope Agenda across the state’s three senatorial districts and 23 local government areas.
Following the alleged denial, Wike threatened to forcefully access the stadium if the state government continued to prevent its use for political rallies. The rally was eventually relocated to the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rumuola, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where Wike made the remarks.
In response, the state government described the allegations as false, insisting that the stadium is presently unfit for public events due to ongoing reconstruction works. The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Sirawoo Honour, titled ‘Rivers State Govt Denies Blocking Pro-Tinubu Group from Using Yakubu Gowon Stadium’.
The Commissioner for Sports, who also serves as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Christopher Green, said his office did not receive any formal application requesting the use of the stadium. He noted that even the alternative venue where the rally was held, the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, is a facility owned by the Rivers State Government.
Green explained that an inspection of the stadium by government officials, led by the site engineer, Michael Ebitenye, revealed that the facility was in a delicate condition. He warned that heavy human traffic could damage underground pipes beneath the pitch, while also pointing to safety hazards in the VIP sections and other areas undergoing renovation.
According to Green, the contracting firm handling the project, Monimichelle, remains committed to the safety of lives and property and would not allow the use of any facility under reconstruction for events, irrespective of political affiliation.
