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, 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.”

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