Rivers State Government and Renewed Hope Ambassadors clash over stadium use, highlighting political tensions and grassroots mobilisation ahead of 2026 elections.
The Rivers State Government and the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), a pro-President Bola Ahmed Tinubu campaign group led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, have found themselves in a public disagreement over access to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.
The RHA claimed that the state government denied approval for the stadium to host their inauguration, prompting the organisers to relocate the event to the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic.
The Renewed Hope Ambassadors, widely recognised as a major campaign movement for President Tinubu’s second term, alleged that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration deliberately refused to approve the stadium, forcing the group to adjust their plans.
Desmond Akawor, Rivers State Coordinator of RHA, accused the government of obstructing the movement’s activities and urged citizens to be aware of what he described as a politically motivated decision.
During the inauguration, which drew a large crowd, Wike strongly supported the allegations. He claimed that the organisers had formally applied to use the Yakubu Gowon Stadium but were denied.
Wike went further, warning that any future refusal would be met with resistance, stressing that public facilities in Rivers State belong to the people and should not be withheld for political reasons.
He told supporters: “We had formally applied to the state government for the General Yakubu Gowon Stadium, and they refused us.
“Next time, if approval is denied, we will forcefully take the facility. Rivers State belongs to all of us, and no one can deny access to its resources.”
The minister’s remarks reflected the tension between political groups and government authorities in the state, while highlighting the determination of the RHA to carry out its programmes.
The inauguration event also featured the announcement of coordinators for Rivers State’s three senatorial zones.
A former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman was appointed as Rivers West coordinator, Chief Boma Iyaye, Executive Director of Finance at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), was named Rivers East coordinator, and Chief Marcus Nle-Eji, Executive Director of Projects at the South-South Development Commission, was assigned Rivers South-East.
Wike noted that Rivers State was the first in the country to inaugurate RHA coordinators in such a structured and comprehensive manner, emphasising that other states would soon follow this example.
According to Wike, the success of grassroots mobilisation in Rivers State demonstrates that political support does not rely solely on financial resources but also on commitment and organisation.
He praised the local leaders and zonal coordinators for the turnout, saying their efforts showed that genuine political backing is expressed through action rather than mere words.
The minister urged citizens to support candidates produced by the APC Joint Coalition for the February 2026 state constituency elections.
He specifically mentioned candidates in Khana Constituency 2 and Ahoada Constituency 2, directing supporters to vote for them regardless of their current political affiliations.
He emphasised a ward-by-ward, unit-by-unit approach to mobilising support for these candidates, promising that elders and party leaders would provide logistical support, including buses, for local campaigning.
While the RHA accused the state government of political obstruction, Rivers State officials described the claims as false and misleading.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr Honour Sirawoo, explained that the Yakubu Gowon Stadium is currently undergoing reconstruction and is not safe for public events.
He added that the state government’s priority is the safety of residents, urging political actors to place the long-term interests of Rivers State above partisan conflicts.
Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green, who also served as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, confirmed that no formal application for the stadium’s use had been received by his office.
He further noted that the alternative venue, Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, is also a Rivers State government facility, demonstrating that the administration did not deliberately block access to public properties.
Project site engineer Michael Ebitenye explained that the stadium’s ongoing renovation makes the facility fragile.
He warned that heavy crowds could damage underground installations and highlighted safety hazards in VIP sections and other areas still under construction.
Ebitenye emphasised that the contracting company, Monimichelle, would not allow the stadium to be used until renovations are complete, irrespective of political affiliation.
The controversy reflects both the political competitiveness in Rivers State and the tension between grassroots political movements and government authorities.
Wike’s statements highlighted the importance of citizen mobilisation, while government officials stressed the necessity of prioritising safety and infrastructure readiness.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to the broader goal of ensuring political participation ahead of the 2026 elections, although they disagreed on the handling of public facilities.
Ireport247news
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