Wike Accuses Rivers Govt of Denying Tinubu Group Stadium Access, Threatens Forceful Takeover

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has accused the Rivers state government of denying the pro-Tinubu “Renewed Hope” group access to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium for a political rally.

Wike made the allegation on Friday while speaking at the inauguration of Renewed Hope coordinators for Rivers state’s three senatorial districts and local government areas at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt.

The Renewed Hope family is a political support group mobilising backing for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

According to Wike, organisers of the event formally applied to the Rivers state government for permission to use the stadium but were denied approval. He warned that any further attempt to block the group from using the facility would be met with a forceful takeover.

“We applied to the Rivers state government for the use of the General Yakubu Gowon Stadium, but they refused us,” Wike said. “Next time, if approval is not granted, we will take the stadium by force. Enough is enough. We are all from Rivers state, and no one can deny us access to state facilities.”

The FCT minister urged the state coordinator of the group to reapply for the use of the stadium and fix a date for the inauguration of ward-level coordinators, insisting that denial would no longer be tolerated.

Wike also criticised the Rivers governor for allegedly failing to align openly with President Tinubu despite benefiting from federal support, questioning how political rewards could be expected without loyalty.

During the 2023 general elections, Wike—then governor of Rivers state—had similarly denied the campaign team of Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, access to campaign venues in the state. Atiku subsequently campaigned across the country, excluding Rivers.