The Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, has carried out his threat and withdrawn the approval given to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, to use Adoki Amasiaemeka Stadium, Igwurita Ali, Ikwerre Local Government Area, for his presidential campaign.
ASHENEWS recalls that Wike had given conditional approval for Atiku to use the stadium for the campaign.
However, Wike in a letter signed by the State Commissioner of Sports, Barrister Christopher Green, dated January 31, 2023, and addressed to the Director General of the Atiku campaign organization and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, said intelligence had revealed that Atiku campaign organization was collaborating with the governorship candidate of APC , Arch. Tonye Cole, to accommodate and share the approved facility for the presidential campaign.
“Refer to our letter of reference no. MOS/s/409/s.49./t/15 of 11th, January , 2023 approving the use of the Adoki Amasiaemeka Stadium for your presidential campaign rally scheduled to hold on the 11th , February, 2023, credible intelligence available to Rivers State government and recent development now show that your presidential campaign organization is working in collaboration with a faction of APC and its intention of your presidential campaign organization to accommodate and share the approved facility for your campaign with the said faction of APC.
“The government record shows that the activities of the APC in Rivers State have always been marred by violence due largely to irreconcilable internal conflict within the party,” the letter reads.
Barrister Green stated that given “credible intelligence” and to expose the stadium to any risk of being damaged, the state government had decided to withdraw the approval for its use for Atiku presidential campaign,” the letter stated.
