Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has threatened to forcefully access the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt if the Rivers State Government continues to deny him and his supporters entry for future political events.

Wike issued the warning on Friday while inaugurating senatorial and local government coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Port Harcourt. The event, held at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, was organised to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former Rivers State governor alleged that the state government refused his group’s application to use the Yakubu Gowon Stadium for the rally.

“We applied to the Rivers State Government for the Yakubu Gowon Stadium. They refused us. But let me say, next time we will do this, if you don’t approve it, we will break it by force,” Wike said.

“So the coordinator of the state [Renewed Hope Ambassadors], write again to the state government. Choose a day, and we will inaugurate the ward level. I want everybody to hear: enough is enough. We are all from Rivers State.

“Nobody can deny us the facilities of the state. If you don’t agree to give us, we will do the needful and take it by force. Heaven will never fall. Even when heaven falls, everywhere will be at peace.”

Wike urged his supporters not to be intimidated, saying ward-by-ward and unit-by-unit inaugurations would proceed across the state. He also announced plans to provide buses to support grassroots mobilisation for the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I told you January is when politics will start. This is January, and we have started. If you don’t give us the venue, we will break it,” he reiterated.

He further questioned the Rivers State Government’s commitment to supporting President Tinubu ahead of 2027.

“You cannot have a governor in the state while we are openly declaring support for President Tinubu and you are not aligning. How then do you expect a reward?” Wike asked, adding that political reward is tied to commitment, not financial contribution.

“I know after today, other states may inaugurate their own structures, but Rivers State will always lead the way. Support is not by mouth; we have shown commitment with action,” he said.

Several political leaders present at the rally, including Senator George Sekibo, Hon. Okey Chinda, Speaker Martins Amaehwule, APC State Chairman Tony Okocha, and former PDP state chairman Felix Obuah, pledged continued support for President Tinubu.