Wike dares Rivers govt over stadium permit for rally

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged the Rivers State Government to once again deny approval for the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt for a Renewed Hope Family rally, warning that organisers would force entry into the facility if permission is withheld.

Wike disclosed that organisers of the rally had formally applied to the state government to use the stadium for an event scheduled for Friday but were refused approval.

He cautioned that any repeat of such a decision by the state authorities would be resisted, insisting that the venue would be accessed regardless of official consent.

The minister issued the warning on Friday while addressing an audience at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt, during the inauguration of Renewed Hope Agenda coordinators across the three senatorial districts and the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.

He said, “We applied to the state government for the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium. They refused us. Let me say this clearly: next time they do this, if you don’t approve it, we will break in by force.

“So, the state coordinator should write again to the state government and choose a day when we will inaugurate the ward-level coordinators. I want everybody to hear this clearly. Enough is enough.

“We are all from Rivers State. Nobody can deny us the use of state facilities. If you refuse to grant approval, we will do the needful, and we will take it by force. Heaven will not fall. Even if heaven falls, everywhere will still be at peace.”