Politics
That same dog barked , made you governor’ — Wike fires back at Fubara,
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
In response to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, of Rivers state, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, on Saturday said, the same political forces now being derided were instrumental to his emergence as governor.
Wike spoke during his thank-you visit to Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Minister said internal divisions in the state had given way to unity, insisting that there are no longer “no-go areas” in Rivers politics.
According to him, “That same dog barked and helped make you governor,” Wike said, in an apparent response to recent remarks credited to Fubara.
“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.”
The former Rivers governor told the Okrika crowd that political rivalries in the state were gradually dissolving as stakeholders closed ranks around a common cause.
“I believe in you, and that belief will take you places,” he said. “We used to have some problems, but today everyone is working together. That means there is no longer any no-go area”, he emphasized.
Wike stressed that the new alignment transcends party politics, describing it as a collective resolve anchored on shared interests rather than partisan labels.
“We are not talking about party here; we are talking about the real Hope family,” he said. “All of us have decided that we are going to work together. There is no discussion about that. We will not make the mistake we made last time. We are here to correct that mistake”, he explained.
The FCT minister also dismissed claims that his political camp lacked electoral strength, saying political advantage is not measured by pessimistic projections but by organisation and total mobilisation.
He added that, ” Some people say, ‘They can only deliver two to ten per cent.’ So what is political advantage?” he asked. “We will do all we can to ensure we give the total support required.”
Reacting to personal attacks against him, Wike defended his academic background and political credentials, describing such criticisms as the resort of political actors who lack electoral relevance.
“Someone who was once a senator said the Minister of the FCT is semi-illiterate,” he said. “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. That same man does not know how to win elections.”
He contrasted his own political trajectory with that of his critics, recalling their electoral failures.
“He contested for the chairmanship of volleyball and failed. He sabotaged the party and the party lost at the tribunal. But I contested and won twice,” Wike said.
The minister further highlighted his record in public office, from party leadership to commissioner, governor and now FCT minister, insisting that his performance remains verifiable.
“As Minister of the FCT today, anybody can go and check the records,” he said. “When people cannot do what you are doing, they start calling you names. I am not worried about that.”
Wike also dismissed allegations that he masterminds legal or political troubles for opponents, recalling that past prosecutions predated any alleged influence from him.
“In 2016, he refused the EFCC and was prosecuted,” Wike said. “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 it was primarily to appreciate loyalty and reaffirm his political bond with supporters.
“I came to say thank you,” he said. “This is my endorsement. I know you will never abandon me.”
He warned against the assumption that financial power alone could secure political victory, stressing that leadership and consistency are decisive.
Wike further explained that, “Money cannot solve all problems,” Wike said. “Whoever is assuring you that shouting about your mandate will automatically give you victory is not correct.”
The minister thanked the people of Okrika for reclaiming their local council and urged leaders to embrace inclusive governance and engagement.
He also commended women in the area for their support, assuring them of continued partnership.
He noted that, “We will not take your support for granted,” Wike said. “If there are problems, we will come back to you. But for now, we have no problems.”
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he will only support whoever supports President Bola Tinubu’s reflection, irrespective of political party in the FCT Area Councils’ election, scheduled for February 21.
Wike stated this in Abuja on Saturday, during Senator Sandy Onor’s 60th birthday, a celebration of six decades of scholarship, leadership, service and meaningful impact.
The Minister, who said he owed no one an apology for supporting Tinubu, promised to support any candidate that supports the President irrespective of party affiliation.
“We have the FCT Area Council election coming up on February 21 and I have a duty to support any candidate that supports President Tinubu to win.
“It is also my duty to ensure that any candidate that is not supporting Tinubu does not win in the election, and I owe no apology on my stand,” Wike said.
Speaking on the celebrant, the Minister described him as a credible ally, a trustworthy friend and good brother.
According to him, Onor is not just a friendly but a reliable friend, even in times of trouble and that is when you know who is a friend.
“I will continue to be with you and work with you, because I know even if I am not alive today, you will not abandon my family,” Wike said.
Reading the citation of the celebrant, Prof. Anthony Eyang said, Onor, born on February 14, 1966 in Ikom, Cross River State, was raised in an environment deeply rooted in community values, discipline and faith.
Eyang said that the journey of Onor, a Professor of History began from the lecture halls of the University of Calabar to the floor of the Nigerian Senate, and onward to Cross River State politics.
“This reflects a life devoted to learning, leadership, and the advancement of society,” he said.
Earlier, Chairman planning committee, Senator Philip Aduda, said that the event was a thanksgiving of God’s faithfulness on Onor’s life both as an academic and a politician.
On his part, Mr Samuel Otom, former governor of Benue, described Onor as an “icon”, a great Nigerian, and a man who had prepared himself and fit for leadership.
Otom, who stood in for the Chairman of the Occasion, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, former governor of Abia State and Ambassador designate, equally described Onor as a “good man.”
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kalu Agabi (SAN) described the celebrant as a courageous and intelligent man, saying; “I love Senator Sandy Onor because he is not one of those who stigmatize the constitution as a product of the military. He is a courageous and intelligent man.”
Prof. Dave Imbua, while presenting a Festchrift, a book written by scholars in honour of the celebrant, said Onor has remained a notable historian among academics.
Ikpeazu unveiled the book on behalf of Wike and his friends, with N50 million.
In his remarks, the celebrant said he had realised in his 60th year of life that it was good to be a man of excellence and a man of character, adding that hard work pays.
Onor, however, said that “everything becomes insignificant if the finger of God is absent”.
He thanked his family, friends and well-wishers for the show of love, adding that their support would be taken for granted.
By Saint Mugaga, Abuja
Former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Army and representative of the North East on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) needs Governor Ahmad Fintiri to establish its hold on the state and region.
Namdas, in a statement on Friday cautioned those working against the planned alleged defection of the governor from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC to stop ‘grandstanding.’
“I have read with dismay the interviews, articles, and Facebook posts by some of our party members in Adamawa State criticising the alleged defection of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), emphasising their intention to resist it.
“Firstly, I want to state categorically that the APC is undoubtedly the largest and strongest opposition political party in Adamawa State. In fact, if it were not for the behavior of some of our members in past elections, who allegedly engaged in anti-party activities, the APC would not have lost those elections, nor would it have failed to secure the governorship. We would have been the ruling party.
“As it stands, if we—stakeholders, party leaders, and supporters across the state—set aside our differences and interests and unite with a common purpose to deliver the APC in 2027, we will surely achieve this by God’s grace.
“However, considering the strength of the ruling PDP in the state, led by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the emergence of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Vice President His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, and the defection of several notable former members—such as former Governor Bindow Jibrilla, Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani, Senator Ishiaku Abbo, and Sadiq Ibrahim Dasin—from the APC to the ADC, it is clear that we undoubtedly need Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri in our fold”, he stated.
According to Namdas, “If Fintiri is indeed joining the APC as alleged, he will bring along his deputy, 24 commissioners, 3 senators, 5 members of the House of Representatives, 16 state legislators, 21 local government chairmen, 226 councillors, special advisers, assistants, party executives, and other stakeholders.
“However, some are questioning the value he will add by joining the APC. I believe we should instead ask those raising false alarms what value they have actually contributed to the APC.
“I understand that some political operatives may lose influence if Fintiri ultimately joins the APC, which is why they are encouraging some of our members to prevent him from doing so.
“As governor, Fintiri has transformed Adamawa State to such an extent that both President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have recognized his outstanding performance in infrastructure development.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has agreed to visit Yola on Monday, February 16, 2026, to commission additional projects at the invitation of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.
“As an appointee of the President, a former two-term member of the House of Representatives, and a gubernatorial aspirant in the 2023 election, I would like the governor to join the APC because I recognize the value he will bring, even if others do not.
“Our state party executives, together with their local government and ward counterparts, have done their best to guide the party to its current position, even without a sitting governor.
“However, I believe they will achieve even greater success if the party includes a sitting governor. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the party leader in the state, has performed exceptionally well. His primary focus as party leader is to ensure that President Tinubu wins the 2027 election.
“Therefore, he is committed to doing whatever it takes, within the bounds of the law, to achieve this goal. In light of this, we should join our party leader in welcoming Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to the APC”, he submitted.
By Saint Mugaga
Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has called on Nigerians to begin the process of sacking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with the February 21 Area Council elections in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Atiku, who led the campaign of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chairmanship candidate for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Dr. Moses Paul on Thursday told party supporters that the ADC remains the best opposition party to dislodge the ruling APC.
He further stated that the best way to guarantee the defeat of the ruling party was for the people to come out in large numbers to vote for the ADC.
“The APC has failed us as a people and if we don’t send them away, they will cause more damage.
“The campaign to end the sufferings that the APC has brought upon us starts with the election into the FCT Area councils,” Atiku said.
He accused the APC government of fraud and forgery, allegeding that the party forged the processes of the electoral amendment and the gazette of the tax reform law.
The campaign train also visited Area Shopping Centre 1 in Garki and Zone 4 Plaza in Wuse.
Atiku also used the opportunity of the rally to appeal to Nigerians to register en-masse for the membership of the ADC, as the party kickstarts its membership registration exercise on Thursday.
“I emphasised to voters to ensure that they defy every intimidation and vote for the ADC, and to register for their Personal Voters Card (PVC) in order to begin the true change we expect to see,” Atiku added.
FCTA Signs Agreements For Development of Jabi Lake
Spread the loveBy Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has signed Development Agreements with Suburban Broadband Limited...
Mahmoud Calls For Moral Leadership, Strong Institutions At FCT Staff Book Launch
Spread the loveBy Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja The Federal Capital Territory Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has emphasized that a...
FCT Council Election: I ‘ll support only those supporting President Tinubu – Wike
Spread the loveBy Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he will only...
INTERVIEW: Democracy cannot be built on conditional transparency
Spread the loveFGN cannot continue to remain a distant observer to the continuing marginalisation of the Tiv people and other...
MACBAN denies links to criminality, expresses shock over proposed US sanctions
Spread the loveThe Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has expressed surprise over the proposed sanctions against the association...
Must Nigerians Be Made to Suffee For Everything?
Spread the loveProf P. I. Ukase Once again, our children aspiring to gain admission into universities for the 2026/2027 academic...
Why Kwankwaso was singled out in proposed US Religious Freedom Bill. –Farooq Kperogi
Spread the loveA proposed United States legislation seeking to sanction alleged violators of religious freedom in Nigeria has triggered debate...
Why We Must Welcome Governor Fintiri to APC…Hon. Namdas
Spread the loveBy Saint Mugaga, Abuja Former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Army and representative of the...
Fubara Dissolves State Executive Council after meeting Tinubu
Spread the loveBy Saint Mugaga Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council, a move...
Atiku urges Nigerians to kick out APC beginning with FCT elections
Spread the loveBy Saint Mugaga Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has called on Nigerians to begin the process of...