The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the Katsina State government has denied the party the use of Muhammadu Dikko Stadium for its presidential rally.

Mustapha Inuwa, the director-general of the Atiku-Lado Campaign Council, disclosed this to journalists on Sunday in Katsina.

The party has scheduled Tuesday, 20, 2022, for its campaign in the state.

According to Mr Inuwa, the council had twice written to the state government seeking permission to use the stadium.

He explained that the state government, in its response to the party’s two letters, said that repairs were still ongoing at the facility and, therefore, could not be used for the event.

Mr Inuwa said the two alternative locations provided by the state government were located within the populated areas of the state and thus would not be convenient.

“One of the locations is within the populated area of the state, while the other is very close to the Federal Medical Centre.

“If there is an emergency, it will be difficult for an ambulance to move around,“ Mr Inuwa said.

The Atiku-Lado Campaign Council director-general and the council’s chairman, Ibrahim Umar-Tsauri, expressed serious concern over the response from the state government.

Mr Umar-Tsauri described the development as “sad and democratically challenging, ” saying that the rally was for their state’s presidential, gubernatorial, and other PDP candidates.

“You all know that we built the stadium for the people of Katsina State and Nigeria, but today we want to use the stadium, but because we are not in government, the government in power has refused us to use it,” Mr Umar-Tsauri alleged.

In a letter signed by Ibrahim Nuradeen on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government (SGS), Muntari Lawal, the state government said the stadium was under “repairs” and could not be released for use.  

(NAN)