The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has threatened to forcibly gain access to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, alleging that the Rivers State Government denied a pro-Tinubu political group the use of the facility for a rally.

Mr. Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, made the allegation on Friday while speaking at the inauguration of coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors across the 23 local government areas of the state. The event was held at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt.

According to him, organisers of the rally had formally applied to the Rivers State Government for permission to use the Yakubu Gowon Stadium but were allegedly turned down.

“We applied to the Rivers State Government for the Yakubu Gowon Stadium. They refused us. But let me say this: next time we want to do this, if you do not approve it, we will break in by force,” Mr. Wike said.

Addressing the Rivers State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Mr. Desmond Akawor, the minister urged him to reapply for the use of the facility.

“Write again to the state government. Choose a day, and we will inaugurate the ward level. I want everybody to hear this: enough is enough. We are all from Rivers State. Nobody can deny us the facilities of the state,” he said.

Mr. Wike further warned that denial of access to public facilities would not be tolerated.

“If you do not 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 former governor urged members of the group not to be intimidated by what he described as harassment by the Rivers State Government, insisting that the inauguration would proceed ward by ward and unit by unit.

He also announced plans to provide logistical support for the group’s activities, including vehicles for each ward, to ensure effective mobilisation for the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“So nobody should be intimidated. We are here to support you. Members of various councils have agreed to make more commitments to ensure that each ward gets a bus, so that the campaign for the Renewed Hope Agenda can be fully realised,” Mr. Wike said.

However, the Rivers State Government has rejected the allegations, describing them as false, misleading, and without factual basis.

Reacting to the claims, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, told journalists on Friday evening that the Yakubu Gowon Stadium is currently undergoing reconstruction and is unsafe for public use.

Dr. Sirawoo spoke after leading an inspection tour of the facility alongside the Commissioner for Sports, who also serves as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Mr. Christopher Green, under the guidance of the site engineer.

According to him, the level of ongoing reconstruction work makes it impossible for any group to use the stadium at this time.

“With the extent of work currently ongoing at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, no group can be granted access to the facility for any event,” Dr. Sirawoo said.

He advised political leaders in the state to place the interest of Rivers State above personal political ambitions, noting that there is life after politics.

The permanent secretary also stated that Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains committed to, and is actively supporting, efforts to ensure the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

Also speaking, Mr. Green said his office did not receive any formal request for the use of the stadium, describing the allegation of denial as baseless.

He further noted that even the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, where the inauguration eventually took place, is a Rivers State Government–owned facility.

The site engineer, Mr. Michael Ebitenye, who led 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.

He added that there are serious safety hazards in the VIP sections and other areas still under reconstruction.

Mr. Ebitenye stressed that the contracting firm, Monimichelle, is committed to the safety of lives and property and would not permit the use of any facility undergoing renovation for events of any kind, regardless of political affiliation.