The pro-President Bola Tinubu rally organizers led by Nyesom Wike were granted entrance to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Elekahia, Port Harcourt on Friday, according to the Rivers State administration. The stadium was being rebuilt, the state government explained.
Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, and Amb. Desmond Akawor, the Chairman of the Renewed Hope Agenda in Rivers State, had accused the Rivers government of turning down their request to utilize the stadium for the Renewed Hope Agenda coordinators’ inauguration.
The coordinators are dispersed among the state’s 23 local government districts and three senatorial districts.
In fact, if the state administration refused to allow him to have any political event, Wike threatened to destroy the stadium.
Speaking at the event, which was subsequently relocated to the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, he made the warning.
Rivers: Stadium unsafe
In response, the state authorities declared that the stadium was currently unsafe for public usage and refuted Wike’s accusations.
Government made the clarification in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Honour Sirawoo, on Friday captioned ‘Rivers State Govt Denies Blocking Pro-Tinubu Group from Using Yakubu Gowon Stadium’. “Shows Facility is Under Reconstruction” was one of its subthemes.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Sports, who is also the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Christopher Green, stated his office had not receive any formal request for the use of the stadium.
“Even the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, where the inauguration was ultimately held, is a facility owned by the Rivers State Government,” he continued.
“The stadium is currently in a delicate condition, warning that heavy human traffic could damage underground pipes beneath the pitch,” stated Michael Ebitenye, the site engineer who guided government authorities on the inspection visit.
He also emphasized the safety risks in the VIP areas and other areas that are being rebuilt.
According to Green, Monimichelle, the contracting company, “remains committed to the safety of lives and properties and would not permit the use of facilities undergoing renovation for any event, regardless of political affiliation.”
