Wike Dares Rivers Govt: 'We'll Break Into Stadium By Force If Denied Again – Heaven Will Not Fall'

 The ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, Nigeria, have intensified following a bold statement by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The former Rivers governor accused the state government under Governor Siminalayi Fubara of denying his pro-President Bola Tinubu support group, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (also referred to as Renewed Hope Family), access to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt for a recent rally.

Wike made the remarks on Friday, January 30, 2026, while inaugurating coordinators for the group across the state's senatorial districts and 23 local government areas. The event was held at an alternative venue, the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rumuola, Port Harcourt, after the stadium request was reportedly rejected.

According to reports from multiple sources, Wike claimed the group had formally applied for the stadium but was denied, describing the decision as unprecedented and provocative. He warned that if similar denials occur in the future, he and his supporters would take drastic action.

“We applied to the state government for the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, and they refused us. Next time, if we apply and they refuse again, we will break it by force and nothing will happen,” Wike stated. He added, “Heaven will not fall,” and even quipped that “even if heaven falls, everywhere will be at peace.”

This threat has raised concerns about potential escalation in the long-running rift between Wike and Governor Fubara, amid preparations for the 2027 general elections. Wike emphasized that political activities in support of President Tinubu's agenda are legitimate and that denying access to public facilities amounts to suppression. He insisted that Rivers State must lead mobilization efforts for Tinubu's re-election.

The Rivers State Government has pushed back against the claims. Officials, including the Coordinating Commissioner for Sports (who also serves as Attorney-General), described the allegations as false and politically motivated. They stated that the Yakubu Gowon Stadium is currently under reconstruction/repair, making it unsafe and unavailable for events, rather than a deliberate blockade.

This development highlights the deepening divide in Rivers politics, with Wike's faction pushing pro-Tinubu rallies while the state administration maintains control over public venues. Observers warn that forceful attempts to access facilities could lead to confrontations or violence in the oil-rich state.