Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike stoked yet another fire on Friday in Port Harcourt, when he threatened to break into the Yakubu Gowon Sports Complex should the state government deny his group the use of the facility.
The minister spoke at the inauguration of a pro-Tinubu group – Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Port Harcourton Friday.
The event held at the premises of the state owned Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, along Rumuola Road in the state capital attracted delegates from the 23 local government areas of the state who were inaugurated as the Renewed Hope Ambassadors for local government areas and senatorial districts.
The minister alleged that Governor Fubara refused to approve the use of the stadium by the organizers of the event, vowing to break into the facility should the governor decline the use of the facility when next the group applies for it
The minister in his characteristics blunt outburst stated that the heavens will not fall when he breaks into the facility, adding that “even if the heavens fall, peace will be restored thereafter”
He commended the organizers for their steadfastness in supporting President Bola Tinubu and urged them not to relent.
He said,: “This is the first in this country. We challenge any other state in this country to do the same. I know that after today other states will begin to inaugurate their own state chapters. Rivers State will always lead the way.
“Let me thank our leaders here and the coordinators. Support is not by mouth. You have shown commitment. You don’t have a governor with you, yet you said you are supporting Mr President and you are doing everything humanly possible to return Mr President by the special grace of God in 2027”
The minister disclosed that the organizers have already purchased 26 brand new buses for use by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in the 23 local government areas and in the three senatorial districts.
He charged them to work towards ensuring that each of the 319 electoral wards in the state also have a bus to drive home the message of the Renewed Hope Agenda to the grassroots.
Earlier, the State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Ambassador Desmond Akawo inaugurated the local government and senatorial district coordinators of the group.
He had alleged that Governor Fubara refused to approve the use of the Yakubu Gowon Sports Complex for the event and commended the attendees for their steadfastness.
Meanwhile, a group, the Niger Delta Coalition for Tinubu (NDCT) has strongly condemned as “false, misleading and self-serving” claims credited to Amb. Desmond Akawor, Rivers State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, alleging that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara denied his group the use of a state facility.
The group said the claim is illogical, inconsistent and deliberately deceptive.
In a statement signed by the spokesman of the group, Chief Amb. Edamina Ogiri, the group contended that if the Rivers State Government truly stopped the use of its facilities, how then was the same event hosted at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, a Rivers State Government-owned institution?
“This single fact completely punctures Mr. Akawor’s narrative and exposes it for what it is: cheap propaganda”, the group maintained.
“One is left to seriously question Mr. Akawor’s intentions. Rather than take responsibility for poor planning, he has chosen the ignoble path of blackmail, incitement and blame-shifting, all in a desperate attempt to malign the Governor and mislead the public.
“It is deeply unfortunate that someone who ought to speak with the wisdom and courage of an elder statesman has instead abandoned truth in the face of reality, trading integrity for political theatrics. Such conduct does grave disservice to the Renewed Hope agenda and the values it represents”, it pushed.
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According to the group,Governor Siminalayi Fubara has consistently demonstrated openness, tolerance and democratic maturity in Rivers State, stressing that attempts to drag his name into manufactured controversies are condemnable and unacceptable.
“We therefore call on Mr. Desmond Akawor to desist forthwith from further falsehoods and inflammatory statements capable of inciting public resentment and damaging peace in the state.
“The Niger Delta Coalition for Tinubu remains firmly committed to truth, responsible leadership and constructive political engagement and we will not remain silent in the face of deliberate misinformation.
“The Niger Delta Coalition for Tinubu, in its resolve to massively mobilize for the re-election of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, remains firmly committed to truth, responsible leadership, and constructive political engagement, and will not remain silent in the face of deliberate misinformation”, it insisted.
