The Rivers State Government has dismissed allegations that it denied the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Renewed Hope Ambassadors access to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, for the inauguration of a political support group for President Bola Tinubu, insisting the facility is currently under reconstruction and unsafe for public use.
The Rivers State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Desmond Akawor, had alleged that the state government blocked the group from using the stadium for its inauguration ceremony. The event was eventually held at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt.
Wike, speaking at the ceremony where coordinators were inaugurated across the 23 local government areas of the state, reinforced the claim and warned that supporters would force entry into the stadium if access is denied again.
According to him, the group formally applied to use the stadium but was refused approval. He urged supporters not to be intimidated and directed the group to submit another application, declaring that they would proceed with future events at the facility regardless of opposition.
Reacting after an inspection tour of the stadium, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, described the allegations as false and misleading.
He said the level of reconstruction work at the stadium makes it impossible and unsafe for any public event to be held there.
Sirawoo, who toured the facility alongside the Commissioner for Sports and Attorney-General of the state, Christopher Green, and the site engineer, said political actors should put the state’s interest above partisan battles, stressing that there is life after politics.
He added that Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains committed to supporting President Tinubu’s re-election.
Green said his office did not receive any formal request for the use of the stadium, describing the allegation as baseless.
He noted that even the alternative venue used for the event, Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, is also owned by the Rivers State Government.
Site engineer Michael Ebitenye said ongoing works have left critical sections of the stadium in a delicate state, warning that heavy human traffic could damage underground installations beneath the pitch.
He also cited serious safety risks in the VIP and adjoining sections under renovation.
Ebitenye said the contracting firm handling the project would not permit the use of the facility for any event until reconstruction is completed, regardless of political affiliation.
