The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that more than 70,000 residents of Rivers State will turn out to welcome President Bola Tinubu at a presidential rally scheduled for Saturday in Port Harcourt.

Wike gave the assurance after inspecting the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, the venue for the rally, where he said preparations were in top gear to ensure a successful reception for the President.

The stadium, which has a seating capacity of 40,000, was selected in anticipation of a massive turnout, with organisers projecting that attendance could exceed 70,000 as supporters are expected to converge on the facility and surrounding areas.

The former Rivers State governor described the mood across the state as enthusiastic, saying residents were eagerly looking forward to Tinubu’s visit.

He said the extensive decorations, mobilisation and logistical arrangements across Port Harcourt reflected the level of preparation for the event.

“Rivers people are very enthusiastic to receive him tomorrow, and that is why we have come here to see how prepared we are,” Wike told journalists after inspecting the stadium.

He recalled that Tinubu’s last visit to Rivers State was when he was President-elect, during which he commissioned projects executed by the then state government.

According to Wike, Saturday’s visit will be Tinubu’s second appearance in the state and his first since assuming office as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

He described the occasion as significant, adding that the state was delighted to host the President in his current capacity.

Comparing the venue with the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, where candidates of the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition were unveiled the previous week, Wike said the choice of Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium was informed by expectations of a much larger crowd.

He noted that Yakubu Gowon Stadium has a seating capacity of about 16,000, against the 40,000 capacity of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

“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 dismissed suggestions that the projected attendance might not be achieved, insisting that the enthusiasm surrounding the President’s visit and the level of mobilisation so far were sufficient reasons for his confidence.

He also expressed satisfaction with the organisation, decorations and security arrangements, assuring that all necessary measures had been put in place for a hitch-free event.

“You can attest to the fact that, 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.

The FCT minister added that security agencies and other stakeholders had been working together to ensure adequate arrangements for the rally.

“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.

Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, led a mobilisation roadshow across major roads in Port Harcourt and other parts of the state ahead of the presidential visit.

More than 80 campaign buses representing the APC and PDP structures across the 23 local government areas participated in the exercise, alongside party coordinators and other supporters.

The roadshow, which terminated at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, was designed to raise awareness about the rally, mobilise residents and build momentum ahead of Tinubu’s arrival.

Wike said the rally would also provide an opportunity for political candidates to present their programmes to the electorate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Although he maintained that Rivers residents had already made up their minds to support Tinubu, he acknowledged that political campaigns remained an important part of the democratic process.

“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.

He challenged those who doubted his crowd projection to attend the rally and witness the turnout, reiterating his confidence that the number would be achieved or surpassed.

Saturday’s rally is expected to be a major political gathering in Rivers State as Tinubu returns to the state for the first time since his inauguration as President.