Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has threatened to revoke the permission granted to the campaign of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar to use the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.
The Governor stated on Friday that he provided the stadium free of charge to the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), but that he would withdraw his approval if the team did not comply with certain conditions.
Wike stated that the stadium would only be made available to them 48 hours before the date of their rally on February 11, but that if attempts to take over the stadium before the date are made, the approval will be revoked immediately.
Governor Wike specifically warned the Rivers State Director-General of the PCC, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, against any attempt to forcefully take possession of the stadium before the approved date.
The Rivers State Governor issued the warning during the inauguration of the Rivers State PDP Campaign Council in Oyigbo Local Government Area on Friday.
He said:
Let me also use this opportunity to warn Abiye Sekibo, we have made approval for your presidential candidate to use Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, February 11th, you have no right to begin to go to the stadium now.
We cannot give you access to the stadium now. We can only give you access to the stadium two days to the occasion for you to prepare.
Nobody gave you one month. So, if you dare it again, to go and force yourself into the stadium, I will cancel the approval with immediate effect. Dare it again, I will cancel it. Heaven will not fall. In fact, if heaven falls now, we will be happy that it was in our time heaven came down.
You Are Not Ready
Wike further lambasted Sekibo, saying he knows the PCC boss is not ready for any campaign but is only looking for an excuse for his imminent failure.
I know you are not ready to do that rally. You are only looking for excuse. But you must do it. I know you are going to import people, no problems, go and import. We have given you the stadium, the Governor said.