Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has responded sharply to remarks by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, escalating the public war of words between the once-close political allies.
Okay News reports that the exchange follows comments made by Governor Fubara during a New Year banquet on Thursday, where he appeared to downplay criticism from his predecessor and political benefactor.
“If you have a dog in your house and it knows you, does it need to bark?” Fubara said at the event, a statement widely interpreted as a subtle jab at Wike amid their prolonged political rift.
Speaking the following day while addressing supporters in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State, Wike dismissed the remark and turned it back on the governor, insisting that the same “barking dog” Fubara referenced was instrumental to his rise to power.
“This dog that’s barking now barked, even when Rivers people didn’t know who the person was and the dog that barked made the person to be governor when others ran away and he’s not afraid that the same dog now is barking. I wish him goodluck,” Wike said.
The former Rivers governor also used the occasion to reaffirm his political alignment ahead of future elections, declaring unwavering support for Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We have decided to for Asiwaju Tinubu. There’s no discussion about that, but there’s one we must take a decision. We won’t make the mistake we made last time. We would correct the mistake,” he stated.
Wike further took aim at political figures who previously aligned with Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former vice president and opposition presidential candidate, questioning their electoral relevance in Rivers State.
“I heard him say those who worked with Atiku are back. They couldn’t give Atiku 10%. So, what is the political advantage. I won’t call their names, but you all know them,” he added.
