PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria, Jan. 3, 2026 — Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike on Saturday escalated his war of words with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, saying the same political camp now mocked as “barking dogs” was instrumental to Fubara’s rise to power.
Speaking during a “thank-you” visit to Okrika Local Government Area, Wike—a former two-term governor of Rivers—appeared to respond to comments credited to Fubara in recent days that likened his critics to barking dogs. “That same dog barked and helped make you governor,” Wike told supporters, adding that the “dog” was active “when people did not even know who the person was.” He ended the jab with: “I wish you good luck.”
Fubara, speaking earlier this week, urged supporters to remain calm amid the political tension, saying a dog barks “when it doesn’t understand,” in remarks widely interpreted as a swipe at Wike and his allies.
The political undertone of Wike’s Okrika outing deepened when the Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress announced it was withdrawing support for Fubara and aligning with Wike. The group’s chairman, Senator George Sekibo, described the feud as “unfortunate,” but said the Ijaw people were “not ungrateful,” arguing that Wike backed Fubara—an Ijaw son—during the governorship succession.
Wike also used the event to portray a growing coalition around his camp, insisting there were no longer “no-go areas” in Rivers politics and urging supporters to focus on mobilisation. He reiterated his support for President Bola Tinubu, framing the emerging alignment as broader than party politics.
Later, Wike visited the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Tom, and urged the monarch to avoid direct political involvement ahead of the 2027 election cycle, saying politicians should be allowed to “play [their] game,” with traditional rulers offering guidance when necessary.
The renewed rhetoric comes against the backdrop of a prolonged Rivers power struggle that previously triggered federal intervention, including emergency rule and the suspension of elected officials in 2025 before their reinstatement months later.
Attempts by several Nigerian outlets to obtain an immediate response from the Fubara camp to Saturday’s developments were not publicly reflected in early reports.
