The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dared the Rivers State Government to again deny approval for the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, for a Renewed Hope Family rally, vowing to forcefully gain access to the facility if that happens.
Wike said the organisers had applied to use the stadium for Friday’s event but were denied approval by the state government.
He warned that if the governor repeats such action, the organisers would break into the facility and use it.
The minister issued the warning on Friday while speaking at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt, during the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Agenda coordinators in the three senatorial districts and the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
He said, “We applied to the state government for the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium. They refused us. Let me say this clearly: next time they do this, if you don’t approve it, we will break in by force.
“So, the state coordinator should write again to the state government and choose a day when we will inaugurate the ward-level coordinators. I want everybody to hear this clearly. Enough is enough.
“We are all from Rivers State. Nobody can deny us the use of state facilities. If you refuse to grant approval, we will do the needful, and we will take it by force. Heaven will not fall. Even if heaven falls, everywhere will still be at peace.”