The Rivers state government has denied blocking the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, for a rally organised by a support group for President Bola Tinubu on Friday, January 30.
The Punch noted the Rivers' government's rebuttal.
Legit.ng reports that Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), threatened to force entry into the stadium, alleging that the Governor Siminalayi Fubara-led Rivers government denied the Renewed Hope Ambassadors access to the venue for a rally.
Rivers govt faults Wike's claim
Wike, the immediate past governor of the oil-rich state, spoke on Friday, January 30, 2026, during the inauguration of coordinators of the group across the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers. The video of the minister's threat went viral on social media platforms.
Wike warned that he and his supporters would forcefully access the Yakubu Gowon Stadium for their next rally if the Rivers state government continues to deny them entry, declaring that “heaven will not fall” if the facility is broken.
Wike Threatens To Take Over Stadium If Rivers Govt Denies Them Access pic.twitter.com/n10d6j571u
— Channels Television (@channelstv) January 30, 2026
But the state government has now described the allegation as false, stating that the stadium was currently under reconstruction and unsafe for public use.
Honour Sirawoo, permanent secretary of the ministry of information and communications, denied the claims in a statement issued on Friday, January 30, according to The Punch.
Rivers commissioner sets record straight
In the same vein, Christopher Green, the commissioner for sports, who also serves as the commissioner for justice and attorney-general of the state, stated that his office did not receive any formal request for the use of the stadium.
Green said, according to Channels TV:
“The site engineer, Michael Ebitenye, who led government officials on the inspection tour, said the stadium is currently in a delicate condition, warning that heavy human traffic could damage underground pipes beneath the pitch.”
The commissioner added that the contracting firm, Monimichelle, “remains committed to the safety of lives and property and would not permit the use of facilities undergoing renovation for any event, regardless of political affiliation.”
