The Rivers State Government has rejected allegations that it denied access to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Elekahia, Port Harcourt, for the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a pro-President Bola Tinubu support group.
The denial follows claims by the group's Rivers State Coordinator, Desmond Akawor, who alleged on Friday, January 30, 2026, that the state government blocked the use of the stadium for the event.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, speaking at the rescheduled inauguration held at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, reinforced the accusation and warned that if access is denied in the future, supporters would "take it by force" or "break it," insisting no one can bar them from state facilities.
In response, the Rivers State Government described the claims as "false and misleading."
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, who inspected the facility alongside Commissioner for Sports (and Attorney-General) Christopher Green and site engineer Michael Ebitenye, explained that the stadium is actively under reconstruction and unsafe for any public gathering.
"The Yakubu Gowon Stadium is presently under reconstruction and cannot be used by any group at this time," Sirawoo stated.
He emphasized that the ongoing works, handled by contractor Monimichelle Sports Construction Company, have reached a delicate stage with heavy equipment, sensitive underground installations including over 40,000 pipes beneath the pitch and safety hazards in areas like the VIP sections.
Commissioner Green added that his office received no formal request for the stadium's use, describing the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
He noted that even the alternative venue, Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, is a state-owned facility.Site engineer Michael Ebitenye warned that heavy human traffic could damage critical infrastructure and pose serious risks, stressing the contractor's commitment to safety regardless of political affiliation.
He indicated the project, aimed at upgrading the stadium to international standards, is approximately 55% complete.
The government urged political leaders to prioritize the state's interests over ambitions, affirming Governor Siminalayi Fubara's commitment to President Tinubu's re-election while maintaining that safety concerns not politics dictated the position on the stadium.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com