Wike projects 70,000 crowd for Tinubu’s Rivers rally

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has projected that more than 70,000 supporters will turn out in Port Harcourt on Saturday to welcome President Bola Tinubu during his presidential rally in Rivers State.

Wike expressed confidence that the turnout would exceed the 40,000 seating capacity of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, where the rally is scheduled to hold, citing the enthusiasm of residents and extensive mobilisation across the state.

The minister spoke on Friday after inspecting preparations at the stadium, where he said arrangements covering security, decorations and logistics had been concluded.

According to him, the anticipated crowd reflects the level of support Tinubu enjoys among Rivers residents.

“Rivers men and women are enthusiastic to receive this President. And I can tell you, I am very confident, believing by the grace of God, we will have clement weather.

“All hands have been on deck. Security is tight. Everything looks up and has been put together. We will get that number, if not more,” Wike said.

He compared the venue with the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, which has a seating capacity of about 16,000 and hosted the unveiling of Rainbow Coalition candidates by Governor Siminalayi Fubara the previous week.

Wike said the larger Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium was selected to accommodate the expected turnout, adding that organisers were anticipating at least 70,000 people.

2027: Tinubu will win Rivers ‘with ease’, — Wike

“Last week, precisely, when the Rainbow Coalition candidates were received by His Excellency, the governor of the state, at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, the sitting capacity of that stadium is 16,000.

“But here, the sitting capacity is 40,000. What we are expecting, in fact, there are 70,000 Rivers men and women who will come to receive the President and hear him,” he said.

Ahead of the rally, the coordinator of the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, led a mobilisation roadshow through major roads in Port Harcourt.

More than 80 campaign buses representing the APC and PDP across the state’s local government areas, alongside campaign coordinators, participated in the procession, which terminated at the stadium.

The roadshow was organised to sensitise residents and build momentum ahead of Tinubu’s visit.

Wike, a former Rivers governor, said he was satisfied with the level of preparations, particularly the decorations and security arrangements.

He described the visit as significant, noting that Tinubu’s last visit to the state was when he was President-elect and had come to commission projects during Wike’s administration.

“This appears to be the second coming and the first since he was sworn in as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. So, we will say that we are very highly elated to receive him,” he said.

The minister also described the rally as part of the political process ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying it would provide candidates an opportunity to present their programmes to voters.

He, however, maintained that Rivers residents had already made up their minds to support Tinubu.

“We have already made up our minds what to do. We are all for the President. But again, it is one of those rituals that every political season, candidates will come and sell themselves to the people,” Wike said.

He urged residents and observers to attend the rally, expressing confidence that the anticipated crowd would be achieved despite the stadium’s seating limitations.

Saturday’s rally will mark Tinubu’s official return to Rivers State since assuming office as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.