The Rivers State Government has formally dismissed allegations that it denied the “Renewed Hope Ambassadors” access to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium for their inauguration ceremony.
During an inspection tour of the facility on Friday, the Coordinating Commissioner for Sports and Attorney-General, Barrister Christopher Green, clarified that no formal application had been received from the group. Furthermore, he emphasized that the stadium is currently an active construction site and is physically unsuitable for public gatherings.
Barrister Green explained that the stadium is undergoing a significant overhaul to meet FIFA and World Athletics standards. The contract, awarded to Messrs Monimichelle, involves complex engineering works that pose substantial safety risks to the public.
“This is a work zone,” the Commissioner stated. “The main bowl has over 40,000 pipes installed beneath the surface. It is structurally impossible and inherently unsafe to host any activity here at this time.”
The site engineer, Engr Michael Ebitenye, corroborated this assessment, noting that ongoing excavations and the volume of heavy machinery make the facility a hazardous environment for any non-essential personnel.
In addition to the physical constraints of the site, the government maintained that no administrative request was ever filed. Dr Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, confirmed that extensive checks were conducted across the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Government House, and the Ministry of Sports.
“There was no letter requesting its use,” Dr Sirawoo affirmed. He pointed out that the group successfully held their event at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, another government-owned facility, proving that the administration does not restrict access to public venues without cause.
Addressing the political undertones of the claims, the state government reaffirmed its unwavering support for the federal administration. Dr Sirawoo emphasized that Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains a steadfast ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his “Renewed Hope” agenda.
“If there is any governor at the forefront of supporting Mr President, it is the Governor of Rivers State,” Sirawoo remarked. “We are 100 per cent committed to the re-election of Mr President and to any initiative that brings development to our state.”
The government concluded by urging the public to verify information before giving credence to claims of political sabotage, reiterating that alternative venues such as the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium remain available for legitimate public use.
