The Rivers State Government has denied allegations that it blocked a pro-President Bola Tinubu rally from using the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, on Friday.
The denial followed claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Rivers State Chairman of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, that the state government refused the group’s 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.
Wike, who spoke at the rally after it was relocated to the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rumuola, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, alleged that the group had been denied access to the public facility, adding that they would have forced their way into the stadium if necessary.
However, the state government described the allegations as false and misleading, explaining that the Yakubu Gowon Stadium is currently undergoing reconstruction and is unsafe for public use.
In a statement issued on Friday and titled “Rivers State Govt Denies Blocking Pro-Tinubu Group from Using Yakubu Gowon Stadium,” the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Honour Sirawoo, said the claims by Wike and Akawor were baseless.
“The Yakubu Gowon Stadium is presently under reconstruction and cannot safely accommodate any public gathering,” Sirawoo said, adding that he personally inspected the facility on Friday.
According to him, the inspection was carried out alongside the Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green, and the site engineer, who confirmed that the extent of ongoing work made the stadium unfit for use.
Sirawoo advised political actors in the state to place the interest of Rivers State above personal political ambitions, noting that there is life after politics. He also stated that Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains committed to the re-election of President Tinubu.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Sports, who also serves as the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Christopher Green, said his ministry did not receive any formal application for the use of the stadium.
Green described the allegations as unfounded, noting that the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, where the rally was eventually held, is also a facility owned by the Rivers State Government.
The site engineer, Michael Ebitenye, who led officials on an inspection tour, said the stadium is in a delicate condition, warning that heavy human traffic could damage underground pipes beneath the pitch.
Green further highlighted serious safety risks in the VIP sections and other areas under reconstruction, stressing that the contracting firm, Monimichelle, would not allow the use of any facility undergoing renovation for events of any nature, regardless of political affiliation.
