By Abiola Olawale
The political cold war in Rivers State reached a boiling point on Friday, January 30, 2026, as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, issued a stern warning to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In a move that signals a significant escalation in their protracted feud, Wike vowed to forcefully gain access to state-owned facilities if his political group, the Renewed Hope Family, is denied approval for future events.
The latest spark in the Rivers crisis ignited when the state government allegedly refused Wike’s group permission to use the General Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt for a scheduled inauguration of coordinators.
Wike said the organisers had applied to use the stadium for Friday’s event but were denied approval by the state government.
He warned that if the governor repeats such action, the organisers would break into the facility and use it.
The minister issued the warning on Friday while speaking at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt, during the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Agenda coordinators in the three senatorial districts and the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
He said, “We applied to the state government for the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium. They refused us. Let me say this clearly: next time they do this, if you don’t approve it, we will break in by force.
“So, the state coordinator should write again to the state government and choose a day when we will inaugurate the ward-level coordinators. I want everybody to hear this clearly. Enough is enough.
“We are all from Rivers State. Nobody can deny us the use of state facilities. If you refuse to approve, we will do the needful, and we will take it by force. Heaven will not fall. Even if heaven falls, everywhere will still be at peace.”
