The political crisis in Rivers State has taken a more acrimonious turn as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, launched a blistering verbal assault on his successor and current governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike's 'Barking Dog' Retort to Governor Fubara
Speaking on Saturday, January 3, 2026, during a thank-you visit to Okrika Local Government Area, Wike directly responded to Governor Fubara's recent criticisms. The FCT minister, in a now-viral video, reminded Fubara of the political machinery that propelled him to power.
Wike stated pointedly, "Somebody said 'a dog barking'. This dog that is barking now barked when Rivers people do not even know whom the person was, and the dog that barked made the person to be governor." He added that others had fled the scene, and now the beneficiary of that support is afraid of the same 'dog'. Wike concluded this analogy by sarcastically wishing the governor good luck.
Unity for Tinubu and Admitting a 'Mistake'
Beyond the personal jabs, Wike framed the current political realignment in Rivers State around support for President Bola Tinubu. He told political stakeholders that rivalries were dissolving as they closed ranks for a common cause under the 'Renewed Hope' family.
In a significant admission, Wike referenced a past error. "Of course, you know, we won't make the mistake we made last time," he said, an apparent reference to his support for Fubara in the 2023 gubernatorial election. "We are here to correct that mistake. We will do all we can to see that we give Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu all the total support that he requires," Wike declared, signaling a unified front for the 2027 presidential election but a fractured home front.
Nigerians React to the Escalating Feud
The public exchange has sparked intense reactions on social media platform X, with many Nigerians weighing in on the drama:
- One user, @__labama, suggested Wike is being outmaneuvered, stating, "Tinubu and Fubara are now playing him in his own game."
- Another, @EkongGodson, offered a philosophical take: "Wike is yet to come to terms that all power belong to God."
- User @raybabaD advised Fubara to consolidate presidential support, predicting, "Fubara should just try to gain the love and trust of Tinubu and boom, Wike is gone."
This latest episode adds another layer to the protracted conflict that has seen parallel sittings of the state assembly, clashes among supporters, and mass defections. Wike had previously downplayed Fubara's move to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a natural progression following other defections.
The political landscape in Rivers State remains deeply polarized, with the war of words between the former governor and his successor setting the stage for a fierce battle for control ahead of the next general elections.
