…Fubara called for calm and assured residents that the situation would be resolved peacefully.
RIVERS, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has broken his silence on the impeachment moves against him by the State House of Assembly, offering an explanation for his remark that some dogs bark because they do not understand.
Fubara spoke on a day his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, dismissed calls for President Bola Tinubu to sack him, saying the President would only do so if he believed he could no longer add value.
At the same time, the Rivers State House of Assembly raised the alarm over what it described as “secret plots” to unlawfully obtain court orders aimed at stopping the legislature from carrying out its constitutional duties.
Speaking during a church service to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at St Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt, the Fubara called for calm and assured residents that the situation would be resolved peacefully.
He explained that his silence amid growing political tension was intentional, stressing that his confidence was rooted in his faith in God. According to him, his earlier comment about dogs barking was misunderstood, adding that he had no reason to raise his voice or complain.
“I know what I have, and that which is supreme is God,” Fubara said, urging the people to remain relaxed and emphasising that peace was paramount for the state.
The deputy governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, in her remarks, commended residents for attending the service and urged them to continue to conduct themselves responsibly. She echoed the message of the Dean of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Blessing Eyinda, who warned in his sermon that every action would one day be remembered. Odu also appealed for sustained prayers for the administration, describing them as the backbone of the government.
Meanwhile, Wike and the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, avoided direct comments on the impeachment proceedings, which have heightened political tension in the state.
Wike, who concluded his “thank you” tour of the 23 local government areas with a rally in his home Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, said politics was driven by interests rather than sentiment. Responding to calls for his removal, he maintained that it was within President Tinubu’s discretion to sack him if he so wished.
He declared that political power was taken, not given, and asserted that Obio/Akpor remained a decisive force in Rivers politics. Wike warned that those who abused the area politically would eventually seek its votes and be rejected at the polls.
The minister added that President Tinubu understood his value and had no need of external pressure in making decisions. He expressed confidence that the President had done well for Rivers people and would be rewarded with their support in 2027.
Wike also took a swipe at loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, arguing that they lacked the electoral strength to deliver votes for Tinubu.
On its part, the Rivers State House of Assembly alleged that certain individuals were plotting to secure court injunctions from courts outside the Port Harcourt judicial division to halt legislative proceedings.
In a statement by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Enemi George, the Assembly said it was aware of the alleged plans and warned against actions capable of undermining the Constitution and the rule of law.
The lawmakers cited constitutional provisions, including Sections 272(3) and 188(10), which they said barred courts from interfering in impeachment proceedings. They urged those served with notices of allegations of gross misconduct to respond formally rather than resort to what they described as clandestine attempts to subvert due process or discredit the Assembly in the media.
