By: Felix Ikpotor
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has given approval for the All Progressives Congress, APC, to use the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, for its presidential rally. The rally is slated for 15th February, 2023.
This was disclosed by a member of the Presidential Campaign Council in the state, Chief Tony Okocha while speaking with Journalists in Port Harcourt.
Okocha said Wike gave the approval without collecting the required fees of five million naira.
He said all arrangement have been put in place to ensure a successful rally.
“His Excellency the Executive Governor of Rivers State in his usual magnanimity has granted approval of an alternate venue, the Yakubu Gowon Stadium , Elekahia , Port Harcourt for presidential campaign rally scheduled to hold on 15th , February, 2023 absolutely free of charge but subject to the issuance of a written guarantee of the safety and security of the facilities at the venue due to the violence recorded in recent campaign rallies by the governorship standard bearer of the party in the State,” he said.
Okocha said the 11 sub-committees has been set up to coordinate and ensure a hitch-free rally in the State.
Okocha who is also the coordinator of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Vanguard in the state, noted that the Tinubu campaign organization in the State is not part of the call by APC standard bearer in the state, Pastor Tonye Cole for the declaration of state of emergency in the state and called on politicians to embrace peace and ensure that politics is played without violence.
“Bola Tinubu Campaign Council, Rivers State does not support the call for state of emergency in Rivers State. You cannot be campaigning to be voted as a governor and at the same time call for a state of emergency. That is undemocratic.
“We are against political violence in whatever form. Whoever is attacking who should cease fire. People must be allowed to campaign in even the remotest part of the state without any threat or intimidation”, he stated.
