The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has responded sharply to comments made by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid renewed political tension between both leaders.
Governor Fubara, speaking at a New Year banquet on Thursday, had remarked, “If you have a dog in your house and it knows you, does it need to bark?” — a statement widely interpreted as a veiled reference to the ongoing rift with his former political benefactor.
Reacting on Friday while addressing supporters in Ogba, Egbema and Ndoni Local Government Area, ONELGA, Wike said it was the same “barking dog” that played a decisive role in making Fubara governor.
“This dog that’s barking now barked even when Rivers people didn’t know who the person was. The dog that barked made the person governor when others ran away,” Wike said.
He added that he was not troubled by the remarks, stating, “He should not be afraid that the same dog is now barking. I wish him good luck.”
The former Rivers governor also reiterated his political stance ahead of future elections, declaring firm support for President Bola Tinubu.
“We have decided to support Asiwaju Tinubu. There’s no discussion about that. But there is one thing we must decide: we will not make the mistake we made last time. We will correct the mistake,” he said.
Wike further dismissed claims about the political relevance of some figures allegedly returning to the fold, referencing their past electoral performance.
“I heard him say those who worked with Atiku are back. They couldn’t even give Atiku 10 percent. So what is the political advantage? I won’t call their names, but you all know them,” he added.
The exchange underscores the deepening political fallout between Wike and Fubara, once close allies in Rivers State politics.
