Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday launched a sharp political response to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, insisting that the same forces now being dismissed as “barking dogs” were instrumental in Fubara’s rise to power.
Wike spoke during a thank-you visit to Okrika Local Government Area, where he told supporters that political alignments in Rivers State were shifting rapidly, with former divisions giving way to a new sense of unity. According to him, there were no longer “no-go areas” in the state’s politics.
Reacting directly to remarks attributed to Governor Fubara, Wike said the political group now being mocked played a decisive role at the time Fubara emerged governor. “That same dog barked and helped make you governor,” Wike said. “It barked when people didn’t even know who the person was. Fate has brought it back again.”
The visit took a dramatic turn as the Rivers State chapter of the Ijaw People’s Congress publicly announced it was withdrawing support from Governor Fubara and aligning with Wike. The declaration signaled a deepening rift within the state’s political structure.
Wike told the crowd that Rivers politics had entered a new phase, stressing that the emerging alliance was not about party loyalty but collective interest. He said past mistakes had been identified and corrected, adding that unity would now define the state’s political direction.
Dismissing claims that his camp lacked electoral strength, Wike argued that political success depended on structure, organisation and mobilisation, not speculation. He also defended his personal credentials against critics, listing his academic background, legal career and electoral victories as proof of political relevance.
The FCT minister further rejected accusations that he orchestrated legal troubles for opponents, noting that some cases predated any influence linked to him. According to him, blaming others for personal political challenges was a sign of weakness.
Chairman of the Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress, Senator George Sekibo, justified the group’s decision to abandon Fubara, describing the rift as unfortunate but insisting that the Ijaw people were not ungrateful. He recalled Wike’s role in supporting Fubara’s emergence and pledged the group’s loyalty to Wike and President Bola Tinubu.
Other speakers at the event, including Okrika Local Government Chairman Akuro Tobin and Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Linda Stewart, praised Wike’s influence and support for the area, particularly his backing of women and grassroots leaders.
In his closing remarks, Wike thanked the people for standing by President Tinubu and hinted that key decisions concerning the 2027 elections had already been taken, promising that details would be revealed in due time.
