… threatens to forcefully enter Yakubu Gowon Stadium if denied use by Fubara
… Amaewhule leads Rivers Assembly to campaign for Tinubu
Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has again proved he is a force to reckon with in Rivers politics as he led the inauguration of 345 coordinators across wards, local government areas and senatorial districts for the re-election of Bola Tinubu as President of Nigeria in 2027.
The Minister also threatened to forcefully enter the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt if his group, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, is again denied use of the stadium by the Siminalayi Fubara administration.
The coordinators, three for the state’s senatorial districts, 23 local government areas and 319 wards, are to oversee the activities of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a pressure group dedicated to Tinubu’s re-election, in their areas of influence.
Read also: Wike threatens to break into Rivers stadium for rallies if state govt denies him access
Desmond Akawor, former Nigerian ambassador to South Korea and Rivers State coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, on Friday January 30, at a rally in Port Harcourt, named the coordinators for the three senatorial districts to include Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader at the House of Representatives (Rivers East); Felix Obuah, former state chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (Rivers West), and Marcus Nle-Eji (Rivers South East).
Akawor had alleged that despite application for his group to use the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, formerly Liberation Stadium, Fubara’s administration refused to grant the request.
Wike stressed that the stadium is a property of the state government, and thus belongs to all Rivers people, adding that he will be forced to do the needful, that is forcefully gain entrance, if the state government denies them use of the facility next time.
“We applied to the state government. They refused us. But let me say this, next time we do this, if you don’t approve it, we will break it by force,” he said.
The FCT restated his commitment to the electoral Tinubu’s victory in 2027, while taking a jab at Fubara. He said one does not need N600 billion to show commitment to Tinubu’s re-election, such as providing material support for campaign coordinators, possibly alluding to the N600 billion which Fubara had announced is in the state coffers.
He boasted that Rivers State is the first in the country to inaugurate the Renewed Hope Ambassadors for Tinubu’s re-election, adding that they will see the campaign to the desired end.
Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, flanked by his colleagues in the House, said the Assembly had resolved to actively campaign for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
He alleged their constituents are in agreement with this resolve and had mandated them, as their representatives, to work towards the President’s return to office.
Akawor, Ferdinand Anabraba, leader of the Rivers Elders’ Forum, National Assembly members from Rivers State and other political heavyweights in the state, declared Wike as their political leader, adding that his decision will determine their political direction in 2027.
Read also: Ganduje insists north will back Tinubu in 2027, dismisses doubts as “a big mistake”
Tony Okocha, state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Aaron Chukwuemeka, factional state chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), stressed the so-called Rainbow Coalition which both parties had entered into in Rivers State.
They said the coalition in Rivers State is the first of such all over the country, adding that Wike is the leader of the coalition, brought together to ensure Tinubu’s victory in 2027.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the state government has refuted claims that it denied the Renewed Hope Ambassadors use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.
