Wike To Rivers Govt: “Deny Us Again And We’ll Break In By Force

Political tensions escalated in Rivers State on Friday as Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, accused the state government of obstructing the activities of the Renewed Hope Family by denying them access to a key public facility. According to Ireporter Online, Wike made the remarks during the inauguration of senatorial and local government coordinators for the Rivers State Renewed Hope Ambassadors.

Wike stated that his request to use the General Yakubu Gowon Stadium for the inauguration was rejected by the state authorities. He warned that any future refusals would be met with defiance. “Next time we will do this, if you don’t approve it, we will break it by force,” he declared, insisting that residents of Rivers State should have access to public facilities regardless of political affiliations.

Following the stadium denial, the inauguration was eventually conducted at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rumuola, another government-owned venue. Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his supporters were notably absent from the event, despite previous public affirmations of loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and support for his re-election.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has resumed impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, citing allegations of financial misappropriation. The move adds further complexity to the state’s ongoing political crisis.

The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has indicated ongoing efforts to resolve the situation. Speaking on TVC, the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, noted that while Wike is not an APC member, his support for President Tinubu and influence in Rivers State make his involvement crucial to stabilising the state’s political landscape.