Wike Confident Of Over 70,000 Crowd For Tinubu As Rivers Prepares For Saturday’s Presidential Rally

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed strong confidence that Rivers State residents will turn out in large numbers to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, anticipating an attendance of over 70,000 supporters at the 40,000 seating capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Speaking with journalists after inspecting the venue ahead of the President’s scheduled Saturday visit, Wike emphasized that public enthusiasm across the state is exceptionally high.

“Rivers people are very enthusiastic to receive him tomorrow, and that’s why we’ve come here to see… you can attest to the fact that several avenues and streets have gone by in terms of preparation, in terms of the decorations,” Wike stated.

Highlighting the scope of the reception, Wike noted that while smaller venues such as the Yakubu Gowon Stadium accommodate roughly 16,000 people, the primary 40,000-seating capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium was chosen to handle the heavy crowd.

Despite the stadium’s fixed seating limit, organizers project an overall turnout exceeding 70,000 attendees, with overflow areas prepared to accommodate additional supporters.

Ahead of the event, the coordinator of the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, led a roadshow across major roads within and outside the state capital.

In the show of preparedness and mobilisation, more than 80 campaign buses meant for the APC and PDP in all the local government areas in Rivers State as well as coordinators were driven round major streets of Port Harcourt before proceeding to the stadium.

The roadshow, which terminated at the stadium, was aimed at creating awareness and building excitement ahead of the President’s visit, as campaign supporters took the message of the rally across the city.

Addressing questions regarding past political events where venue capacities were not met, Wike dismissed doubts about reaching the expected numbers.

“It’s not about how certain. I’ve told you that Rivers men and women are enthusiastic to receive Mr. President, and I can tell you I’m very confident, very confident,” Wike asserted, adding that security and logistical arrangements are fully in place for a smooth event.

Wike said; “We are highly elated to receive Mr President. Rivers people are very enthusiastic to receive him tomorrow. That is why we have come here to see how prepared we are.

“The last time the President visited here was when I was in office as governor, when he was President-elect. He came and commissioned projects.

“This appears to be the second coming and the first since he was sworn in as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. So, we will say that we are very highly elated to receive him”.

The former Rivers governor said he was satisfied with the level of preparations, particularly the decorations, organisation and security arrangements at the venue.

He challenged observers to assess the preparations, expressing confidence that Rivers State would deliver a befitting reception for the President.

“You can attest to the fact that, I don’t know how many states you have gone to, but in terms of organisation, decorations and all that, you will give us a pass mark. It is a lovely place, and we believe that the weather is the best to receive the President tomorrow,” he said.

On the expected attendance, Wike disclosed that the venue had a sitting capacity of 40,000, compared with the 16,000-capacity Yakubu Gowon Stadium, where candidates of the Rainbow Coalition were unveiled the previous week.

He, however, projected that at least 70,000 Rivers residents would turn out to welcome Tinubu and listen to his campaign message.

“Last week, precisely, when the Rainbow Coalition candidates were received by His Excellency, the governor of the state, at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, the sitting capacity of that stadium is 16,000.

“But here, the sitting capacity is 40,000. What we are expecting, in fact, there are 70,000 Rivers men and women who will come to receive the President and hear him,” he said.

Wike said the rally would provide an opportunity for political candidates to present themselves to the electorate ahead of the 2027 general election.

He maintained that Rivers residents were already committed to supporting Tinubu but acknowledged the importance of political campaigns in allowing candidates to sell their programmes to the people.

“We have already made up our minds what to do. We are all for the President. But again, it is one of those rituals that every political season, candidates will come and sell themselves to the people,” he said.

The minister expressed confidence that the projected 70,000 attendance would be achieved, dismissing concerns about whether the crowd would match his prediction.

Wike insisted that the enthusiasm of Rivers residents and the preparations on the ground would guarantee a massive turnout.

“It is not about how certain. I have told you that Rivers men and women are enthusiastic to receive this President. And I can tell you, I am very confident, very confident, believing by the grace of God, we will have clement weather.

“All hands have been on deck. Security is tight. Everything looks up and has been put together. We will get that number, if not more,” he said.

Wike urged all to be present at the rally to witness the turnout, expressing confidence that the event would attract a massive crowd.

“I hope you will be here to witness yourself the crowd that will be here to receive Mr President,” he added.

Saturday’s visit marks President Tinubu’s official return to Rivers State in his capacity as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.