Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has clarified that the Rivers State government cancelled approval given for the use of Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Campaign Council in order to safeguard the facility from vandalism.
The governor gave the clarification at the flag-off rally of the Rivers State PDP campaign for Degema Local Government Area that held at Agri Field in Degema town on Thursday.
Governor Wike described the claim that Rivers State government did not want PDP Presidential Campaign Council to campaign in the state as erroneous, since the state had earlier given approval to the party to use the stadium at no cost.
“Don’t say we stop them from holding rally, we didn’t. They applied to me and I gave (Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium) to them. They now went back and began to meet with the faction of the opposition, and you know that opposition has never held any rally without violence.
“And I said I cannot joke with Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium. Since we have this intelligence we will not allow it. Did anybody force us to give them before? Are we not the ones who gave them? Did they pay money? Go and see the place. I know they are happy because they know there is no way they can fill that stadium. Instead of them to say thank God for covering our shame.”
He declared that the unit by unit mobilisation of voters adopted by the PDP in the state was one of the strategies that would make it difficult for security agencies to rig the 2023 general election in the state.
The governor maintained that electorate would participate in the forthcoming election with unit by unit mobilisation, which would ensure that every votes counted.
Because people will vote, Governor Wike insisted that security agencies would find it difficult to rig election where the voters would be mindful to protect their votes.
“This election is going to be by mobilisation. It’s not like before when anybody will go and bring soldiers to carry election materials. Now, election will be based on physical human beings. Votes must count now.”
Governor Wike also said that his administration had delivered several development projects in the area in appreciation of the support Degema people had given to the PDP since 1999.
The governor stressed that his administration promised to execute phase one of the Trans-Kalabari Road, which had begun and construction work had progressed tremendously.
According to the governor, the inauguration of the first phase is planned for February 2023.
Governor Wike assured that when his successor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, assumed office when elected, he would pay attention to starting the phase two of the Trans-Kalabari Road and reconstructing educational facility in Degema town among other life touching projects.
