The Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike has reportedly withdrawn the earlier approval granted the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to use the Rivers State stadium for his presidential campaign rally holding on 11th February.
Recall that Governor Wike had earlier threatened to withdraw the approval which he said was granted at no cost to Atiku if the campaigners insist on accessing the venue before 48 hours to the event.
In the new twist, Wike cited “credible intelligence” which he said had revealed that the PDP presidential campaign organisation was working in collaboration with a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state known for causing mayhem.
The reversal of the approval was contained in a viral letter dated 31st January, 2023 signed by Barr. Christopher Green, Commissioner for Sports, and addressed to Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, who doubles as Director General of the PDP presidential campaign council.
It reads in part, “Refer to our letter reference no. MOS/C/409/S.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-cohoots 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 recks APC Campaign in Rivers – Thisdaylive.com, 20 January, 2023), see also Funch 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.”
Wike, a PDP staunch member, had led four other PDP governors to block Atiku’s chances hinging his action on demand that the party chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, a northerner, must relinquish the position to the south, since Atiku is from north.
The crisis that erupted after the party’s presidential primary election has caused a lot of rumpus in Rivers State where some chieftains led by Okrika-born Abiye Sekibo have formed alliance with Atiku.