Governor of Rivers state Nyesom Wike has declared Wednesday 3rd of May a public holiday in honour of the visit of President-elect, Bola Tinubu, to the state. 

Mr Wike stated this in a state broadcast on Tuesday where he explained that Mr Tinubu would be visiting the state on a two-day official visit  to commission some strategic projects in the state 

The projects to be commissioned include the Rumuokwuta-Rumuola flyover and the newly built Magistrate Court Complex in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas, respectively. 

Mr Wike said a formal invitation was sent to the President-elect after the general elections, which was accepted.

“For us, it is an honour to the government and people of Rivers State to host the President-elect on this historic visit. Consequently, I urge all Rivers citizens to come out en masse to receive our President-Elect, His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and display the traditional Rivers hospitality as he commissions these legacy projects to God’s glory and the advancement of our development.”. 

“Given this, I hereby declare Wednesday, 3rd May 2023, a public holiday to enable the people of Rivers State to receive our President-elect rousingly,” Mr Wike said. 

Mr Wike ordered all shops and markets along Rumuola to Rumuokwuta roads in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State to remain closed from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Wednesday, May 3 2023. 

He also urged all labour unions and security agencies to comply with the closure order. 

The two-day visit to Rivers state is the first official visit by Mr Tinubu to any state since he emerged winner of the February 25 presidential election.