Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned that he and his supporters may forcefully access the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt if the Rivers State Government continues to deny them permission to hold political rallies at the facility.
Wike issued the warning on Friday during the inauguration of senatorial and local government coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a political support group backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections. He described the state government’s refusal to grant access to the stadium as unprecedented and politically motivated.
According to Wike, his group had formally applied to use the stadium but was denied approval. He warned that further refusal could lead to confrontation, declaring that “heaven will not fall” if the facility is broken. “We applied to the state government to use the Yakubu Gowon Stadium and they refused. Next time, if we apply and they refuse again, we will break it and nothing will happen,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor stated that political activities ahead of future elections had officially begun, noting that ward-level inaugurations would soon follow. He also insisted that Rivers State would continue to lead in political mobilisation in support of President Tinubu.
Wike questioned the commitment of the Rivers State Government to the President’s re-election bid, arguing that political rewards are tied to loyalty and action, not financial contributions. “You don’t need N600 billion. All you need is commitment,” he said.
He further disclosed that the rally was a coalition effort and thanked President Tinubu for supporting the Ijaw coalition in producing candidates for the February 21 by-elections in Khana Constituency II and Ahoada West Constituency II.
Several political leaders, including Senator George Sekibo, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Okey Chinda, Rivers Assembly Speaker Martins Amaehula, and APC State Chairman Tony Okocha, pledged continued support for Tinubu. Brand-new buses were also presented to the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to boost mobilisation efforts ahead of 2027.
