The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged the Rivers State Government to again deny approval for the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, for a Renewed Hope Family rally, warning that organizers would forcefully gain access if the facility is withheld.
Wike said organizers of the rally had applied to use the stadium for a Friday event but were denied approval by the state government.
Speaking on Friday at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt, during the inauguration of Renewed Hope Agenda coordinators across Rivers State, the former governor accused the state authorities of deliberately frustrating the programme.
According to him, any further refusal to grant approval would be met with decisive action.
We applied to the state government for the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium and they refused, Wike said.
Let me make this clear: next time they do this and deny approval, we will break in and use the facility by force.
He directed the state coordinator of the Renewed Hope Agenda to submit a fresh application, urging that a date be fixed for the inauguration of ward-level coordinators across the state.
I want everyone to hear this clearly enough is enough. We are all from Rivers State. Nobody can deny us the use of state facilities, he added.
Wike further insisted that the organisers would proceed with their plans regardless of opposition, declaring that no authority could stop Rivers indigenes from accessing public facilities.
If they refuse approval, we will do the needful and take it by force. Heaven will not fall. Even if heaven falls, everywhere will still be at peace, he said.
Details later.
