“Dog Barks Only When It Doesn’t Understand” — Fubara Dismisses Wike’s “Sounds of War” During New Year Banquet

In a resolute address to close the year, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara urged his supporters to remain unperturbed by the ongoing political friction with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Speaking at a New Year banquet held at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, January 1, 2026, Fubara characterized the verbal attacks from his opponents as “the barking of dogs who lack understanding.”

The Governor utilized a literary metaphor, which he attributed to Julius Caesar, to dismiss the intimidation tactics of the opposing camp. He suggested that their aggressive rhetoric stems from a failure to interpret the shifting political landscape in the state.

 “Don’t be disturbed by what is happening. Caesar in one of his quotes said, ‘The only reason the dog barks is when it doesn’t understand.’ If you have a dog in your house and it knows you, does it need to bark? So when the dog starts barking, maybe it is seeing something it doesn’t understand. We are not barking because we understand. We know where we are going and we have set all the things that are needed to make the journey smooth.”

Fubara declared that 2026 would be a year of “complete liberation” for Rivers State, asserting that his administration has transitioned from a phase of survival to one of renewed strength and focus. He emphasized that while his opponents rely on “instruments of war” and public rallies to exert pressure, his government remains anchored in prayer and a commitment to protecting the interests of the people.

The Governor’s remarks come amidst heightened tension, as Nyesom Wike and his supporters have intensified their campaign in the state, recently threatening to expose “confidential agreements” and vowing to block Fubara’s re-election path. Despite these threats, Fubara reaffirmed his loyalty to the national leadership of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that his administration would not be blackmailed or distracted by those trying to undermine the peace of the state.