The Rivers State Government has denied allegations that it deliberately blocked a pro–President Bola Tinubu support group from using the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, for a political rally held on Friday, insisting that the facility is currently unsafe due to ongoing reconstruction works.
The denial follows claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Chairman of the Renewed Hope Agenda in Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, who accused the state government of frustrating plans to use the stadium for the inauguration of coordinators of the Renewed Hope Agenda across the state’s three senatorial districts and 23 local government areas.
The rally was eventually relocated to the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, after the group was unable to access the stadium. Speaking at the event, Wike alleged that the Rivers State Government had denied the organisers the use of the public facility and warned that if such denial continued in the future, supporters would forcefully gain access to government-owned venues.
In response, the Rivers State Government described the allegations as false and misleading. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Honour Sirawoo, clarified the government’s position in a statement issued on Friday, stressing that the Yakubu Gowon Stadium is presently undergoing reconstruction and cannot be used for any public gathering.
Sirawoo explained that the decision had nothing to do with politics, noting that the facility is in a fragile state due to ongoing renovation work. According to him, the stadium poses serious safety risks and is unfit for human traffic at this time.
He disclosed that he personally inspected the stadium on Friday alongside the Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green, under the guidance of the site engineer handling the project. The inspection, he said, confirmed that the level of reconstruction made it impossible for any group or organisation to safely use the facility.
“The Yakubu Gowon Stadium is currently undergoing reconstruction and is unsafe for public use,” Sirawoo stated, adding that claims suggesting otherwise were unfounded and politically motivated.
The permanent secretary advised political actors in the state to prioritise the collective interest of Rivers State over personal or partisan ambitions, reminding them that politics is temporary and should not be allowed to threaten public safety or state assets.
Sirawoo also emphasised that Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains committed to democratic values and political stability, noting that the governor supports President Tinubu’s re-election and is focused on maintaining peace and order in the state.
Corroborating this position, the Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green—who also serves as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Rivers State—said his ministry did not receive any formal application requesting the use of the stadium for the rally.
Green described the allegations by Wike and Akawor as baseless, pointing out that even the alternative venue used for the event, Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, is also a facility owned by the Rivers State Government.
He further explained that safety concerns informed the government’s position, revealing that the stadium’s pitch area has underground pipes that could be damaged by heavy human movement. According to him, allowing a large crowd into the facility at this stage could result in serious structural damage and pose risks to lives.
The site engineer overseeing the project, Michael Ebitenye, also warned that the stadium is in a delicate condition, particularly in the VIP sections and other areas still under reconstruction. He cautioned that any form of mass gathering could worsen the state of the facility and lead to avoidable accidents.
Green added that the contracting firm handling the renovation, Monimichelle, is fully committed to safety standards and would not permit the use of the stadium for any event while work is ongoing, regardless of political affiliation or interest.
The Rivers State Government reiterated that its actions were guided strictly by safety considerations and due process, dismissing claims of political victimisation as unfounded.
