Rivers Impeachment Tension: Why I Said Dogs Are Barking — Fubara

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has broken his silence on the impeachment proceedings initiated against him by the State House of Assembly, explaining the comment he recently made about “dogs barking when they don’t understand.”

Fubara spoke as his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, dismissed calls for President Bola Tinubu to sack him, insisting that only the President could make such a decision if he believed Wike no longer had anything to offer.

This came amid fresh claims by the Rivers State House of Assembly that there were “secret plots” to illegally obtain court orders aimed at stopping the legislature from carrying out its constitutional duties.

Why I Said Dogs Are Barking — Fubara

Addressing worshippers during a church service marking the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that peace would prevail in the state.

He explained that his silence in the face of mounting political distractions was intentional, saying his confidence was rooted in his faith.

“I said something that dogs bark when they don’t understand. Now, see, I think a lot of you don’t understand, and that’s the reason I don’t shout, I don’t complain. I know what I have,” Fubara said.

“I know that I have what is supreme and that is God. So, I want everyone to relax. What is important is peace for this dear state and we’ll get it by the special name of God.”

The deputy governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, in her remarks, thanked attendees for honouring the remembrance event and urged citizens to maintain good conduct. She also appealed for continued prayers for the administration, describing such support as vital to sustaining governance in the state.

Wike Ends ‘Thank You’ Tour, Avoids Impeachment Talk

Meanwhile, Wike and the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, avoided direct comments on the impeachment proceedings, even as tensions continued to rise.

Wike rounded off his “thank you” tour of the 23 local government areas with a grand rally in his home local government area of Obio/Akpor.

At the event, the FCT minister said: “I have told everybody that I am not a trader. I have never told anybody that I am a pastor. I never told anybody that I was a public commentator or a journalist. I chose to be a politician. Choose what you want to be in life.”

Tinubu Can Sack Me If He Wants — Wike

Responding to calls for his removal, Wike said President Tinubu had the constitutional right to sack him if he so wished.

“There is no sentiment or emotion in politics. What matters is interest, and the interest of the people,” he said, adding that “power is not given but taken.”

He boasted of Obio/Akpor’s political influence, saying: “Nobody has become governor in this state without Obio/Akpor making a pronouncement; nobody has become a senator of Rivers East without Obio/Akpor making a decision.

“So, if you like, abuse us. After abusing us, come and look for our votes, and we will punish you with the votes.”

Wike said President Tinubu knew his value and did not need external pressure to act, stressing that the President had done much for Rivers people and would be repaid with support in 2027.

He also mocked loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, noting that they failed to secure even 10 per cent of votes for him in the state.

“The President knows that we are the real Renewed Hope. We have seen battles before. This is a battle already won,” he said.

Assembly Alleges Plot to Halt Legislative Process

Amid the political drama, the Rivers State House of Assembly alleged there were covert attempts to procure court orders from high courts outside the Port Harcourt judicial division to restrain it from performing its constitutional responsibilities.

In a statement by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Enemi George, the Assembly said intelligence reports pointed to “certain persons” scheming to illegally stop legislative proceedings.

The Assembly cited Sections 272(3) and 188(10) of the Constitution, which bar courts from entertaining matters relating to impeachment proceedings and questions on whether a governor’s tenure has ceased.

“These persons are fully aware of judicial pronouncements on this matter, especially recent decisions of the Court of Appeal,” the statement said.

It urged those involved to exercise restraint and called on affected office holders to respond to the notice of allegations “item by item” rather than resorting to what it described as attempts to undermine the Constitution and the rule of law.

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