The Rivers State Government has denied blocking the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, for a rally organised by a support group for President Bola Tinubu on Friday.
Recall that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Chairman of the Renewed Hope Agenda in Rivers State, Amb. Desmond Akawor, had accused the state government of denying the group’s request to use the stadium for the inauguration of coordinators of the Renewed Hope Agenda across the three senatorial districts and 23 local government areas of the state.
Wike, while speaking at the rally—which was later moved to the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area—said that if the government denied the group access to public facilities, they would forcefully move in and hold their event.
However, the state government described the allegations by the FCT minister and his allies as false, stating that the stadium was currently under reconstruction and unsafe for public use.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Honour Sirawoo, made the denial in a statement issued on Friday titled ‘Rivers State Govt Denies Blocking Pro-Tinubu Group from Using Yakubu Gowon Stadium’, with the sub-theme ‘Shows Facility Is Under Reconstruction.’
Sirawoo said the claims by Wike and Akawor were “false and misleading,” stating, “The Yakubu Gowon Stadium is currently undergoing reconstruction and is unsafe for public use.”
The permanent secretary, who said he inspected the facility on Friday, added that the allegations were baseless.
Sirawoo said he inspected the stadium alongside the Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green, under the guidance of the site engineer, noting that “the level of ongoing reconstruction made it impossible for any group to use the facility at this time.”
He advised political leaders in the state to place the interest of Rivers State above political ambitions, noting that there is life after politics.
Sirawoo added that Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains committed and is at the forefront of efforts to ensure the re-election of Tinubu.
Meanwhile, 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 request for the use of the stadium.
Green described the allegation as baseless, noting that “even the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, where the inauguration was eventually held, is a Rivers State Government–owned facility.
“The site engineer, Michael Ebitenye, who led government officials on the inspection tour, said the stadium is currently in a delicate condition, warning that heavy human traffic could damage underground pipes beneath the pitch.”
While stressing serious safety hazards in the VIP sections and other areas under reconstruction, the commissioner said the contracting firm, Monimichelle, “remains committed to the safety of lives and property and would not permit the use of facilities undergoing renovation for any event, regardless of political affiliation.”
Punch