January 31, 2026
News | SUNTV Global Channel
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has sparked fresh political tension in Rivers State after openly threatening to forcefully access the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, accusing the state government of deliberately blocking his supporters from using the public facility for a political rally.
Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, made the statement on Friday while addressing supporters at the inauguration of coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors across the state’s 23 local government areas.
The event was held at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt, where the former governor spoke before a large crowd of party loyalists and political allies.
According to Wike, an application by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to use the Yakubu Gowon Stadium was rejected by the Rivers State Government, a move he described as politically motivated and unacceptable.
“But let me say, next time we will do this, if you don’t approve it, we will break it by force,” Wike declared to loud cheers from the audience.
He further instructed the state coordinator of the group to submit another request for the facility, insisting that denial would no longer be tolerated.
“So the coordinator of the state, write again to the state government. Choose a day, and we will inaugurate the ward level,” he said.
“Enough is enough. We are all from Rivers State. Nobody can deny us the facilities of the state.”
Doubling down on his remarks, Wike suggested that forceful access to the stadium would not result in serious consequences.
“If you don’t agree to give us, we will do the needful, and we take it by force. Heaven will never fall. Even when heaven falls, everywhere will be at peace,” he added.
The FCT minister also urged his supporters not to be intimidated, promising logistical and financial backing for the mobilisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda across wards and units in the state.
“We must go ward by ward, unit by unit. Vehicles will be provided. Nobody should be intimidated,” Wike assured.
However, the Rivers State Government swiftly rejected Wike’s claims, describing them as false, misleading, and capable of inciting unnecessary tension.
Speaking to journalists after an inspection tour of the stadium on Friday evening, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Honour Sirawoo, said the facility is currently undergoing extensive reconstruction and is unsafe for public use.
Sirawoo explained that due to ongoing work at the stadium, no political group, organisation, or individual has been granted access.
“With the level of reconstruction going on at the facility, no group can use it at this time,” he said.
He dismissed allegations of political discrimination, stressing that the Rivers State Government has not selectively denied access to any group.
According to him, claims that the Renewed Hope Ambassadors were deliberately blocked are baseless and untrue.
