Rivers Govt gives reason why it Refused PDP Use of Stadium for Presidential Rally

The Rivers State Government has said it refused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) use of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta-Ali, for its presidential campaign rally because the facility was unsafe as work was ongoing at the site.

In a statement issued by the state Commissioner of Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari,ThisDay reports that the government said it was not impressed by the threat of the PDP that it would force its way into the stadium if the government did not grant its request to use the facility.

“At a different time and under different circumstances the Rivers State Government would have ignored the PDP’s ranting but with the party’s penchant for violence and its recent bombings of people and property all over the state, it is pertinent that the Rivers State Government raises this alert and sounds a note of warning to the PDP that the Rivers State Government will not trifle with its responsibility to guarantee the safety of lives and property irrespective of whom is affected.”According to Semenitari:

“The matter of the Adokiye Amiesimaka sports complex is a simple one. The complex is still under construction. As a work site, it is an unsafe environment for use at this time.
“The PDP makes reference to the fact that the APC had held its rally at the same venue. What they failed to mention is that the contractor was moved out of site during the time the APC rally held and remobilised to site right after that rally.
With less than five months to go to the end of its tenure, the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi administration is working on ensuring the completion of all its projects before the handover date of May 29th. With that being the case, the River State Government cannot move its contractors out of site at this time.”She said the state government had provided the PDP an alternative venue for their rally and wondered why the party was bent on the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium.

“Unlike the PDP that has consistently refused the APC the use of stadia and other facilities in Abuja and other states where it is in control, the Rivers State Government has magnanimously offered the PDP the use of the Liberation Stadium Elekahia, which is also a State facility,” she said.She stated:

“The resolve of the PDP to unlawfully break into the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium is therefore a clear determination to create chaos, cause breakdown of law and order and perhaps fulfil the threat issued by some of its members that they will burn down the complex.
We ask President Jonathan, who is the leader of the PDP, and the Inspector General of Police to rein in their mad dogs and call their people to order.”