Wike’s Stadium Threat Risks Escalating Rivers State Crisis

The FCT Minister Nyesom Wike threatened to “forcibly gain access” to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium if denied permission for political rallies—a move analysts warn could trigger confrontations in Nigeria’s most protracted subnational crisis.

Wike made the declaration on Friday during a supporters’ gathering in Port Harcourt, accusing Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration of politically motivated denials to use the 16,000-capacity Elekahia stadium. “When next you deny us the use of any facility, we’ll take it by force,” Wike stated.

The stadium—renamed from Liberation Stadium during Wike’s governorship (2015–2023)—remains state property under Fubara’s jurisdiction. Officials cite ongoing reconstruction and safety concerns for access restrictions, though Wike’s camp alleges political targeting.

This standoff marks the latest flashpoint in a crisis dating to October 2023, when Wike and his former political godson Fubara fell out over control of state institutions and finances. The rift triggered mass impeachments, parallel government formations, and a six-month federal state of emergency declared by President Tinubu in March 2025.

Constitutional experts caution that forcibly entering government property could constitute criminal trespass under Nigeria’s Criminal Code. Security agencies are monitoring the situation closely, given rival political factions maintain parallel vigilante structures across Rivers’ 23 local government areas.

“The stadium belongs to the state, not any individual,” said Dr. Chinedu Okoro of the University of Port Harcourt. “Threatening force normalizes violence as political currency.”

As rally dates approach, ordinary Rivers residents face renewed anxiety. Three years into this crisis, governance remains paralyzed while political elites battle for control of institutions meant to serve the people—not become instruments of confrontation.