The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has hit back at Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara following the governor’s recent “barking dog” comment amid their lingering political rift.
Nigerian Newssphere recalls that Governor Fubara, while speaking at the New Year banquet on Thursday, had remarked, “If you have a dog in your house and it knows you, does it need to bark?” The comment was widely seen as a response to the renewed hostility between him and his former political benefactor.
Reacting on Friday during a visit to Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), Wike dismissed the remark and claimed credit for Fubara’s emergence as governor.
According to Wike, the same “dog” Fubara referred to was instrumental in making him governor when others distanced themselves. He said he was unbothered by the governor’s comments and wished him well.
“This dog that is barking now barked even when Rivers people did not know who he was. That same dog made him governor when others ran away,” Wike said. “I am not afraid that the same dog is now barking. I wish him good luck.”
The FCT minister also reiterated his political stance ahead of future elections, declaring support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We have decided to support Asiwaju Tinubu. There is no discussion about that,” he said. “But there is one decision we must take: we will not make the mistake we made last time. We will correct the mistake.”
Wike further took a swipe at some political actors who recently returned to the fold after working with former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, questioning their political value.
“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?” he added. “I won’t mention names, but you all know them.”
