Chairman of Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro Felix Obuah, has described as shocking and regrettable the alleged attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Fovernment to have FIFA transfer last Tuesday’s World Cup Qualifier between Nigeria and Swaziland from Port Harcourt to Abuja, and the plan that subsequent international matches be played in Abuja.

A statement from the office of the State PDP chairman and signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, accused Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi and APC governorship candidate in the April 11, 2015 governorship election in the state, Dr Dakuku Peterside, of having a hand in the botched attempt. Obuah said “this is not the first time the duo are teaming up to work against the interest of the state in their spurious attempt to get back at the PDP-controlled government.”

The Rivers PDP chairman wondered why sports should also be politicised, saying it is a threat to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.

“Notwithstanding the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the state besides the revamping of the infrastructural and social amenities in the state, Governor Nyesom Wike, who is a sports enthusiast, will continue to place the Garden-City of Port Harcourt on the world map and as the number one choice to sports lovers across the globe. The sabotage by Mr Amaechi and Peterside will therefore not change anything,” Bro Obuah declared.

Bro Obuah commended Rivers people for their peaceful conduct during and after the match, “which has further proved Amaechi and Dakuku wrong, that Rivers State is politically unsafe to host any international match.”