The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, saying the same political forces now derided as “barking dogs” played a decisive role in Fubara’s emergence as governor.
Wike spoke during a thank-you visit to Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, amid a deepening political rift in the state. The event was also marked by the public declaration of support for Wike by the Rivers State chapter of the Ijaw People’s Congress, which announced it was withdrawing its backing for Governor Fubara.
Responding to remarks attributed to the governor, Wike, a former Rivers State governor, said: “That same dog barked and helped make you governor.
“This dog that is barking now was barking when people did not even know who the person was. That same dog barked and helped make the person governor immediately.
“It is one of fate that the same dog is barking again. I wish you good luck.”
Wike told the crowd that political alignments in Rivers State were changing, with former rivals now closing ranks, insisting that there were no longer any “no-go areas” in the state’s politics.
“I believe in you, and that belief will take you places. We used to have some problems, but today everyone is working together. That means there is no longer any no-go area,” he said.
“We are not talking about party here; we are talking about the real Hope family. All of us have decided that we are going to work together. We will not make the mistake we made last time. We are here to correct that mistake.”
The FCT minister dismissed suggestions that his political camp lacked electoral strength, arguing that political success depended on organisation and mobilisation rather than speculative projections.
“Some people say, ‘They can only deliver two to ten per cent.’ So what is political advantage?” he asked, adding that his supporters would ensure total mobilisation when required.
Wike also used the occasion to respond to personal criticisms, defending his academic and political credentials and describing attacks on him as coming from individuals without electoral relevance.
“Someone who was once a senator said the Minister of the FCT is semi-illiterate. Yet that same person dropped out of university. I went to university, studied Law, went to Law School and today I am a Life Bencher. I hold the national honour of CON,” he said.
“That same man does not know how to win elections,” Wike added, noting that while some of his critics repeatedly lost at the polls, he had contested and won major elections twice.
He further rejected allegations that he was behind the legal or political challenges faced by some opponents, arguing that some of the cases predated any influence attributed to him.
“In 2016, he refused the EFCC and was prosecuted. Was that also me? He escaped prison because of immunity. How come now, when you have the same problem, you are saying it is me who is masterminding it?” he asked.
Explaining the purpose of his visit to Okrika, Wike said he was there to appreciate loyalty and reaffirm ties with supporters, while warning that financial resources alone could not guarantee political victory.
“Money cannot solve all problems. Whoever is assuring you that shouting about your mandate will automatically give you victory is not correct,” he said.
The political undertone of the visit intensified when the Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress formally announced its decision to abandon Governor Fubara and align with Wike.
Chairman of the congress, Senator George Sekibo, described the feud between Wike and Fubara as “very unfortunate” but said the Ijaw people would not be ungrateful.
“Please don’t look at him and think we are all ungrateful people. Ijaw people are very grateful people. That is why we abandoned him and said we will follow you,” Sekibo said.
“You have done so much for Ijaw people in Rivers. Whatever you say we should do is what we will do.”
Sekibo pledged the group’s loyalty to Wike and President Bola Tinubu, saying the Ijaw people would continue to support the minister because of his consistent backing for them.
Also speaking, Chairman of Okrika Local Government Council, Akuro Tobin, described Wike as his political godfather, noting that the minister had supported many sons and daughters of the area into elective and appointive positions.
Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Linda Stewart, speaking on behalf of Okrika women, said Wike’s support for women was unprecedented and prayed for his continued success.
In his closing remarks, Wike thanked the people for their support for President Tinubu, whom he described as a leader who keeps his promises, and urged them to continue backing individuals of proven character.
He also paid a courtesy visit to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Akete Tom, commending the monarch for maintaining unity among his people. Wike hinted that a decision had already been taken regarding the 2027 elections, saying details would be made known in due course.
However, he appealed to the traditional ruler to avoid direct involvement in partisan politics. “It is not going to be business as usual. Allow us to play our game, and if there is any problem, call us to settle,” the minister said.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
