The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, cautioning that there would be serious consequences if the state government again prevents the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, for activities of the Renewed Hope Agenda Family.
Wike alleged that organisers of the pro-Tinubu group were denied approval to use the stadium for the inauguration of Renewed Hope Agenda coordinators, despite formally applying to the state government ahead of the event scheduled for Friday.
Speaking during the eventual inauguration held at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt, Wike said further denial of access to the stadium would be met with resistance.
“We applied to the state government for the Yakubu Gowon Stadium. They refused us. Let me say that next time they do this, if you don’t approve it, we will break it by force,” Wike declared.
“So, the state coordinator should write again to the state government, choose a day when we will inaugurate the ward level. I want everybody to hear this. Enough is enough.”
The former Rivers governor insisted that all indigenes were entitled to use state-owned facilities, warning that his supporters would not hesitate to take action if access was blocked again.
“We are all from Rivers State. Nobody can deny us the facilities of the state. If you don’t agree to give us access, we will do the needful and take it by force. Heaven will not fall. Even if heaven falls, everywhere will still be at peace,” he added.
The Chairman of the Renewed Hope Agenda Family in Rivers State and former Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea, Desmond Akawor, inaugurated coordinators across the three senatorial districts and the 23 local government areas. Akawor, alongside the Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, Allwell Ihunda, also accused the Fubara-led administration of deliberately denying them the use of the stadium.
However, the Rivers State Government swiftly dismissed the allegations, insisting that the facility was unavailable due to ongoing reconstruction.
In a statement titled ‘Rivers State Govt Denies Blocking Pro-Tinubu Group from Using Yakubu Gowon Stadium’, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Honour Siraawoo, described the claims as “false and misleading.”
“The Yakubu Gowon Stadium is currently undergoing reconstruction and is unsafe for public use,” Siraawoo stated, adding that he personally inspected the facility on Friday.
According to him, the extent of work being carried out at the stadium made it impossible for any gathering to be held there, urging political actors to put the state’s interest above personal ambitions. He also stressed that Governor Fubara remained committed to the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Sports, who also doubles as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Christopher Green, said no official request for the stadium was received by his office.
He noted that even the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, where the event eventually took place, is owned by the Rivers State Government, countering claims of hostility.
Green quoted the site engineer, Michael Ebitenye, as warning that “heavy human traffic could damage underground pipes beneath the pitch,” describing the stadium as being in a fragile condition.
He further explained that safety concerns in the VIP section and other areas under renovation informed the decision not to allow any event at the venue, stressing that the contractor, Monimichelle, would not compromise safety “regardless of political affiliation.”
On the inauguration itself, Wike boasted that Rivers State had set the pace nationally.
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“This is the first in this country. We challenge any state to do what we have done. After today, every state will inaugurate its own chapter. Rivers State will always lead the way,” he said.
He praised leaders from across the state, including lawmakers, federal appointees and elders, for backing President Tinubu’s second-term ambition, while urging support for candidates produced by the Joint Coalition ahead of the February 2026 by-elections.
“In Khana Constituency 2, we support Mrs Burabari Loloo. In Ahoada State Constituency 2, we support Napoleon Okadikpe. These are the candidates of the Joint Coalition,” Wike stated.
He reminded supporters that political activities had officially begun, urging voters across party lines to back the coalition’s candidates.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, renewed calls for President Tinubu to seek re-election in 2027. Leaders of both the APC and PDP in the state, Tony Okocha and Aaron Chukwuemeka respectively, also publicly pledged their support for Tinubu’s second-term bid.