The Kaduna State chapter of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party has lamented the denial of access to the Ahmadu Bello Stadium by the Federal Government barely 24 hours to hold its Presidential mega rally slated to hold Monday, October 17, 2022.
Recall that the Presidential candidate of the opposition party, Atiku Abubakar, was in Kaduna for three days where he was billed to hold his mega rally on Monday.
Reacting in a statement issued to newsmen by the state party chairman, Hassan Hyat, disclosed that all efforts to assess the convenient space for the gathering proved futile as the APC-led Federal Government through the Minister of Sports denied the party access to the facility despite applying for more than seven days.
“It has become very necessary at this point to address our teeming supporters and the entire nation on the sad and unfortunate political situation in our dear country today.
“It is instructive to note that we received the correspondence withholding approval on October 15, 2022, citing renovation work on the facility as an excuse.
“However, a physical tour of the stadium has revealed that there’s no renovation work ongoing either on the main bowl of the stadium or its adjoining structures.
“This is even as the same facility was used for the 2022 Eid-el-Maulud prayers just last Monday.
“Surprisingly, Sunday, October 16 2022, we received another correspondence intimating us of approval by the minister, less than 24 hours to the commencement of the rally and after the Kaduna State Government had approved Ranchers’ Bees Stadium as an alternative venue for us.
“Without any doubt, there was simply no initial intention to grant us approval to use the facility by the minister and thus the late approval was done deliberately as a pretence,” the statement added.
“We are concerned by this apparent abuse of power by the APC-led Federal Government which, to say the least, constitutes a serious threat to our nation’s democracy. The minister needs to be reminded that public facilities such as the Ahmadu Bello Stadium are our commonwealth and approval for their use should be given to all shades of citizens and groups without discrimination.
“We, therefore, condemn this grave abuse of power in its entirety and demand a stop to such show of political brigandage.
“The people of Kaduna State, as things stand, are with the PDP candidate and no amount of clandestine plots to discourage people from turning out will deter them from coming out en masse to show their support for the PDP candidate at the rally today and in the elections come February 2022.
Hyat expressed regrets for any inconvenience the rally might cause commuters, and business owners along the Kaduna Township Stadium (formerly known as Rancher’s Bees) route.
