January 31, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
Port Harcourt, Rivers State — The Rivers State Government on Saturday refuted allegations that it denied the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the pro-President Bola Tinubu group access to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt for a political event, describing the claims as false and misleading and attributing the situation to ongoing construction work at the facility.
In a statement issued Friday afternoon, the state government said the controversy arose after organisers of the Renewed Hope Agenda, a political group supporting President Tinubu’s re-election bid, claimed they were prevented from using the stadium for the inauguration of coordinators across the state’s three senatorial districts and 23 local government areas.
The government clarified that no formal application to use the Yakubu Gowon Stadium was received by the Ministry of Sports or any relevant agency, and that the stadium is currently under extensive reconstruction, making it unsafe for any public gathering. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, who inspected the facility with the Commissioner for Sports and the project engineer, said major structural work and safety hazards prevent its use, regardless of political affiliation.
Officials stressed that critical sections of the stadium including the pitch and seating areas remain under construction, and that heavy human traffic could damage infrastructure such as the network of underground pipes installed as part of the renovation project.
The state government urged political leaders to prioritise public safety and avoid politicising issues related to infrastructure, reminding the public that alternative government-owned venues, such as Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, are available and were used for the recent event.
The denial comes amid heightened political activity in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with tensions between federal and state political actors drawing media attention in recent days.