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.”
She
said the state government had provided the PDP an alternative venue for their
rally and wondered why the party was bent on the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium.
“Unlike
the PDP that has consistently refused the APC the use of stadia and other
facilities in Abuja and other states where it is in control, the Rivers State
Government has magnanimously offered the PDP the use of the Liberation Stadium
Elekahia, which is also a State facility,” she said.
She
stated, “The resolve of the PDP to unlawfully break into the Adokiye Amiesimaka
stadium is therefore a clear determination to create chaos, cause breakdown of
law and order and perhaps fulfil the threat issued by some of its members that
they will burn down the complex.
“We
ask President Jonathan, who is the leader of the PDP, and the Inspector General
of Police to rein in their mad dogs and call their people to order.”
Tags
Politics