Wike revokes stadium approval for Atiku campaign rally

Rivers State government has withdrawn the earlier approval given the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the usage of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium for its presidential campaign rally.

This was contained in a letter signed by the Commissioner for Sports, Chris Green.

In the letter, Green said the approval was withdrawn because the PDP was planning to share the venue with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The letter reads: “Refer to our letter reference no. MOS/C/409/5.49/T/15 of 11th January, 2023 approving the use of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium for your presidential campaign rally scheduled to hold on the 11th day of February, 2023.

“Credible intelligence available to the government of Rivers State and recent developments now show that your Presidential Campaign Organization is working in collaboration and in-cahoots with a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State led by Tonye Patrick Cole and that it is the intention of your Presidential Campaign Organization to accommodate and share the approved facility for your campaign with the said faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Government records show that the activities of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State have always been marred by violence due largely to irreconcilable internal conflicts within the party including shootings and killings in the course of protests arising from the nomination process of delegates for primaries (Sahara Reporters, May 18, 2022) and detonation of explosives in the course of Campaigns (Explosion rocks APC Campaign in Rivers – Thisdaylive.com, 20 January, 2023), see also Punch Newspaper of 26 May, 2022.

“The Rivers state Government is unable to risk damage to or destruction of the very valuable and priced asset, the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium which your use of the same in collaboration with your Tonye Patrick Cole APC faction will definitely expose it to.

“In the circumstance, the Rivers State Government has come to the painful but inevitable decision to withdraw the approval earlier given to you for the use of the stadium and the said approval is hereby withdrawn.

“Accept the assurances of our esteemed regards.”

Wike has been having issues with the national leadership of the PDP over his calls for the resignation of the National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

Wike who lost the PDP presidential primary election to Atiku Abubakar has continued to insist that the presidential candidate of the the party and the national chairman cannot come from the North.