Rivers denies blocking Wike-led pro-Tinubu rally, says stadium beneath development

The Rivers State Authorities has denied blocking using the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, for a rally organised by a assist 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 authorities of denying the group’s request to make use of the stadium for the inauguration of coordinators of the Renewed Hope Agenda throughout the three senatorial districts and 23 native authorities areas of the state.

Wike, whereas talking on the rally—which was later moved to the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, in Obio/Akpor Native Authorities Space—mentioned that if the federal government denied the group entry to public services, they might forcefully transfer in and maintain their occasion.

Nevertheless, the state authorities described the allegations by the FCT minister and his allies as false, stating that the stadium was presently beneath reconstruction and unsafe for public use.

The Everlasting Secretary, Ministry of Info and Communications, Honour Sirawoo, made the denial in an announcement issued on Friday titled ‘Rivers State Govt Denies Blocking Professional-Tinubu Group from Utilizing Yakubu Gowon Stadium’, with the sub-theme ‘Reveals Facility Is Underneath Reconstruction.’

Sirawoo mentioned the claims by Wike and Akawor had been “false and deceptive,” stating, “The Yakubu Gowon Stadium is presently present process reconstruction and is unsafe for public use.”

The everlasting secretary, who mentioned he inspected the ability on Friday, added that the allegations had been baseless.

Sirawoo mentioned he inspected the stadium alongside the Commissioner for Sports activities, Christopher Inexperienced, beneath the steering of the positioning engineer, noting that “the extent of ongoing reconstruction made it unattainable for any group to make use of the ability at the moment.”

He suggested political leaders within the state to position the curiosity of Rivers State above political ambitions, noting that there’s life after politics.

Sirawoo added that Governor Siminalayi Fubara stays dedicated and is on the forefront of efforts to make sure the re-election of Tinubu.

In the meantime, the Commissioner for Sports activities, who additionally serves because the Commissioner for Justice and Legal professional-Common of the state, Christopher Inexperienced, mentioned his workplace didn’t obtain any formal request for using the stadium.

Inexperienced described the allegation as baseless, noting that “even the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, the place the inauguration was finally held, is a Rivers State Authorities–owned facility.

“The positioning engineer, Michael Ebitenye, who led authorities officers on the inspection tour, mentioned the stadium is presently in a fragile situation, warning that heavy human visitors might injury underground pipes beneath the pitch.”

Whereas stressing critical security hazards within the VIP sections and different areas beneath reconstruction, the commissioner mentioned the contracting agency, Monimichelle, “stays dedicated to the protection of lives and property and wouldn’t allow using services present process renovation for any occasion, no matter political affiliation.”