“If They Refuse Us Again, We Will Break the Stadium” — Wike Warns Rivers Govt Over Rally Venue

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned that his supporters would forcefully gain access to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt if the Rivers State Government continues to deny them permission to use the facility for political rallies.

Wike issued the warning on Friday during the inauguration of senatorial and local government coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a pro-President Bola Ahmed Tinubu political group, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, his group formally applied to the state government for use of the stadium but was turned down, an action he described as unusual and unacceptable.

“We applied to the state government to use the Yakubu Gowon Stadium and they refused. If we apply again and they refuse, we will break it, and nothing will happen,” Wike said.

He maintained that Rivers State would continue to take the lead in political mobilisation for President Tinubu, insisting that support must be demonstrated through action, not statements.

Wike said political activities had already begun ahead of future elections and announced that ward-level inaugurations would follow. He also questioned the Rivers State Government’s stance on support for Tinubu’s administration.

“You cannot have a governor in the state while we are openly supporting President Tinubu and you are not aligning. How do you then expect any political reward?” he asked.

The minister added that political reward was based on commitment rather than financial resources, arguing that loyalty and mobilisation were the key factors.

He 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. He urged supporters to mobilise voters for the polls.

Several political leaders at the event pledged continued support for President Tinubu. Senator George Sekibo thanked the President for appointments and ongoing projects in Rivers State, while Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Okey Chinda, endorsed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, describing politics as a process of negotiation and reciprocity.

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in the state, Tony Okocha, also declared support for the President.

Former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Felix Obuah, likewise pledged support, while Okocha said the APC was already mobilising ahead of the 2027 elections.

Coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in the state include Felix Obuah, Boma Iyaye and Marcus Nleji. At the event, buses were handed over to the group to aid mobilisation activities.