The state government described the allegation as false, misleading and politically motivated, insisting that the stadium is currently undergoing extensive reconstruction and is unsafe for any form of public gathering.
The Rivers State government has dismissed claims that it deliberately denied the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Rivers State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Desmond Akawor, access to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt for the inauguration of a political support group for President Bola Tinubu.
The state government described the allegation as false, misleading and politically motivated, insisting that the stadium is currently undergoing extensive reconstruction and is unsafe for any form of public gathering.
The controversy followed claims by Akawor on Friday that the Rivers State government blocked the Renewed Hope Ambassadors from using the Yakubu Gowon Stadium for its inauguration.
Akawor made the allegation while addressing supporters at the inauguration ceremony of the pro-Tinubu group, which was eventually held at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt.
The allegation was later echoed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who, in his remarks at the event, warned that if access to the stadium was denied again, supporters of the group would forcibly gain entry to use the facility.
Reacting to the claims, the Rivers State government said there was no truth to the assertion that it denied the group access, stressing that the Yakubu Gowon Stadium is presently under reconstruction and cannot be used by any organisation, political or otherwise.
Speaking to journalists on Friday evening after an inspection tour of the stadium, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said the allegation had no factual basis.
Sirawoo, who toured the facility alongside the Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green, and officials of the Ministry under the guidance of the site engineer, said the scale and intensity of the ongoing reconstruction made it impossible for the stadium to host any event.
According to him, critical sections of the stadium, including the pitch and spectator areas, are still under heavy construction, posing serious safety risks to members of the public.
Sirawoo said the allegation that the Rivers State Government denied anybody access to this facility is false and misleading.
He nited that the Yakubu Gowon Stadium is currently undergoing reconstruction and is clearly unsafe for use. According to him no responsible government would allow people to gather here under these conditions.
He advised political leaders in the state to place the collective interest of Rivers State above personal or partisan ambitions, warning against politicising issues that border on public safety.
Sirawoo further noted that there is life after politics and urged political actors to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public utterances.
He also said that Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains committed to the overall development of the state and is actively involved in efforts to ensure the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, contrary to insinuations that the state government is working against the President.
Also speaking during the inspection, the Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green, who also serves as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Rivers State, said his ministry did not receive any formal request for the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors.
Green described the allegation as baseless, stressing that due process must be followed by any organisation seeking to use government-owned facilities.
He added that even the venue where the inauguration eventually held, the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, is owned by the Rivers State Government, a fact he said clearly undermines claims that the government was bent on frustrating the pro-Tinubu group.
Green explained that it is important to state clearly that no application was made to his office or the Ministry of Sports for the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium. Beyond that, the stadium is under reconstruction. The allegation is therefore unfounded.
The site engineer handling the project, Michael Ebitenye, who guided government officials during the inspection, said the stadium is currently in a delicate condition and warned that heavy human traffic could cause significant damage to critical infrastructure.
He explained that underground pipes installed beneath the pitch could be damaged if the facility is used at this stage, while several sections of the stadium, including the VIP areas, pose serious safety hazards.
Ebitenye stressed that the contracting firm handling the reconstruction, Monimichelle, is committed to protecting lives and property and would not permit the use of any part of the stadium for events while work is still ongoing.
According to him, allowing public access to a facility under renovation would amount to risking lives, regardless of the political affiliation or status of those involved.
The Rivers State government reiterated that its position on the Yakubu Gowon Stadium is purely based on safety considerations and not politics, urging the public to disregard claims suggesting otherwise.