The Rivers State Government has refuted allegations that it deliberately blocked a pro-President Bola Tinubu rally backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, insisting that the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt was unavailable because it is undergoing reconstruction.
The government’s reaction followed claims by Wike and the Rivers State coordinator of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Desmond Akawor, that permission to use the stadium for the inauguration of coordinators of the Tinubu support group in the state was denied.
Reacting on Friday, January 30, 2026, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communications, Honour Sirawoo, described the allegation as misleading, stressing that the facility is currently unsafe for any form of public gathering.
He said officials of the Rivers State Government, alongside the Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green, and the site engineer, visited the stadium and confirmed that major renovation work is still ongoing.
Sirawoo stated that the level of construction at the venue makes it impossible for any organisation to hold events there at this time, adding that public safety remains the government’s priority.
He further urged political leaders in the state to avoid politicising the matter and to place the overall interest of Rivers State above personal or partisan ambitions.
Wike challenges Rivers govt over stadium denial
The permanent secretary added that Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains supportive of Tinubu and is committed to working towards his re-election.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Sports, who doubles as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Christopher Green, said his office did not receive any formal application from the rally organisers for the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.
He noted that the inauguration was eventually held at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, another facility owned by the Rivers State Government, noting that this showed there was no attempt to frustrate the organisers.
The site engineer handling the project, Michael Ebitenye, also said the stadium is in a fragile condition, warning that heavy human traffic could damage underground installations beneath the pitch.
Green added that sections of the VIP area and other parts of the complex remain under active reconstruction, stressing that the contractor, Monimichelle, would not approve the use of the stadium for any event while renovation work is ongoing, regardless of political considerations.
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