The Rivers State Government has dismissed as false, malicious, and misleading allegations that it denied the Renewed Hope Ambassadors access to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The allegation was made by the Rivers State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Desmond Akawor, who claimed during an event in Port Harcourt that his group was refused permission to use the main bowl of the stadium for its programme.
However, the state government says it neither received any formal request for the use of the facility nor placed any restriction on the group.
Officials also clarified that the Yakubu Gowon Stadium has been under reconstruction since September 2025.
The controversy followed the inauguration of senatorial district and local government area coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, held at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt.
At the event, Ambassador Desmond Akawor claimed that the group had intended to use the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, but was allegedly denied access by the Rivers State Governor.
But the Rivers State Government has firmly debunked the claim.
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The Coordinating Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green, says no formal application was ever submitted for the use of the stadium.
He questioned the credibility of the allegation, noting that the same programme was successfully hosted at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, a Rivers State Government–owned institution.
According to him, this clearly contradicts the narrative that government facilities were denied.
A visit to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium confirms that the facility is currently undergoing extensive reconstruction.
The project, which includes the installation of a new turf, was awarded last year by the administration of Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, retired, during the period of emergency rule in the state.
The project engineer, Michael Ebitenye, says the stadium is presently not safe or suitable for hosting any event.
The Rivers State Government has urged the public to disregard what it describes as false claims, warning that such allegations by politicians seeking cheap publicity are capable of damaging the image and unity of the state.
The government also reaffirmed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s support for President Bola Tinubu and his commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Both Honour Sirawoo and Christopher Green assured that requests for the use of government facilities, when properly made for programmes that promote peace, development, and the overall interest of Rivers State, will always be granted.
