Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has approved Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt for the All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu’s rally, with a waiver on the N5 million statutory payment stipulated by Wike’s Executive Order 21. The rally is billed for February 15.

Order 21 prohibits use of public schools and other government properties for political rallies without approval from the state government.

Also, applicants are required to deposit N5 million caution fees in case attendees destroy facilities at the venue.

A member of the APC Presidential campaign in the State, Tony Okocha, confirmed the waiver, yesterday, and applauded the governor for the gesture.

It wasgathered that the governor, in a letter signed by the Commissioner of Sports, Christopher Green, had earlier declined the party’s request for the use of Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium but granted the use of Gowon Stadium for the rally.

The letter noted that the request for Amiesimaka was rejected because it is being used by Rivers United Football Club for their Premier League matches and because of renovation works in preparatory for Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) matches venue inspection and accreditation.

Okocha explained that the party, in compliance with Order 21 of the state government, had written to the state, requesting for venue and was willing to pay whatever it was worth to have a campaign in the state, but got the governor’s waiver. (The Guardian)

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