* Siminalayi Fubara
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has explained the comment in which he said “dogs are barking,” amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against him by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The governor gave the explanation on Sunday during a church service at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt, held to commemorate the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
Speaking briefly, Fubara said his remark was misunderstood, stressing that he remains calm because of his faith in God.
“I said dogs bark when they do not understand. From what I can see, many people do not understand, and that is why I do not shout or complain. I know what I have. I have what is supreme, and that is God,” he said.
He urged residents of the state to remain calm, noting that peace was paramount for Rivers State and would be achieved through divine intervention.
“What matters most is peace in this dear state, and we will attain it in the mighty name of God,” he added.
In her remarks, the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, thanked those who attended the church service and urged citizens to maintain good conduct, in line with the sermon delivered by the Dean of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Blessing Eyinda. She recalled the Archbishop’s warning that every action would one day be remembered.
Professor Odu also appealed to the people to continue praying for the administration, describing such prayers as the foundation sustaining the government.
FCT Minister Concludes Statewide Tour
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, declined to comment on the impeachment proceedings that have heightened political tension in the state.
Wike, on Sunday, concluded his “thank-you” tour of the state’s 23 local government areas with a grand rally in his home local government area of Obio/Akpor.
Addressing supporters at the event, Wike said he deliberately chose politics as a vocation and urged individuals to be clear about their life choices.
“I have never said I am a trader, a pastor, a public commentator, or a journalist. I chose to be a politician. Everyone should choose what they want to be in life,” he said.
Tinubu Has the Right to Sack Me — Wike
Responding to calls for his removal from office, Wike said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reserves the constitutional right to dismiss him if he believes he no longer has anything to contribute.
“It is within the President’s right to sack me if he so wishes. In politics, there is no sentiment or emotion—only interests, particularly the interest of the people,” he said.
He added that political power is not given freely but taken, asserting that Obio/Akpor plays a decisive role in determining political outcomes in Rivers State.
“No one becomes governor in this state without Obio/Akpor’s pronouncement, and no one becomes a senator from Rivers East without its decision. If you insult us today, you will still return to seek our votes—and we will respond with those same votes,” he said.
Wike dismissed calls from critics demanding his removal, insisting that such decisions rest solely with the President.
“If my appointor feels I can no longer deliver, he has the right to act. It is not the place of others to instruct him,” he added.
He further stated that President Tinubu understood his political value and had no need for external influence, stressing that the President had done much for Rivers State and would be reciprocated with support in 2027.
Wike also criticised supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, saying they failed to secure even 10 percent of the vote and therefore lacked the capacity to mobilise support for President Tinubu.
“Those who claimed allegiance to Atiku could not deliver 10 percent in 2023. How then can they deliver for Tinubu? The President knows who the real Renewed Hope team is. This is a battle we have already won,” he said.
Assembly alleges plot to halt legislative proceedings
In a related development, the Rivers State House of Assembly has alleged the existence of covert plans to unlawfully secure court orders aimed at stopping the legislature from performing its constitutional duties.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Enemi George. According to the Assembly, intelligence reports indicate that certain individuals are attempting to obtain restraining orders from high courts within the state but outside the Port Harcourt judicial division.
The Assembly said those behind the alleged scheme were fully aware of constitutional provisions governing legislative proceedings and court jurisdiction.
It cited Section 272(3) of the Constitution, which empowers the Federal High Court to determine whether the tenure of a governor, deputy governor, or member of a House of Assembly has ceased or become vacant. It also referenced Section 188(10), which bars courts from entertaining or questioning impeachment proceedings of a House of Assembly.
The statement warned that recent appellate court decisions had already condemned similar attempts to secure ex parte orders in violation of constitutional provisions.
“A word is enough for the wise,” the statement noted.
The Assembly called on all parties involved to exercise restraint and desist from actions capable of undermining the Constitution and the rule of law.
It urged the affected office holders who had been served with notices of alleged gross misconduct to respond formally to the allegations instead of resorting to what it described as clandestine tactics or media attacks against the legislature.
Vanguard
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