Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has taken a subtle swipe at Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike while urging his supporters to remain calm amid recent political developments in the state.

Speaking Thursday at the New Year banquet at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Fubara likened critics to dogs that bark when they do not understand a situation—a remark widely interpreted as a dig at Wike.

“The only reason the dog barks is when it doesn’t understand,” he said. “If you have a dog in your house and it knows you, does it need to bark? When the dog barks, maybe it’s seeing something it doesn’t understand. We are not barking because we understand. We know where we are going and have put everything in place to make the journey smooth.”

The governor reassured his supporters that all necessary preparations are in place to secure his second-term bid, signaling confidence despite Wike’s recent claims that leadership errors in Rivers State would be corrected in the 2027 election.

Political observers note that Fubara’s remarks were a calculated shade aimed at Wike, reinforcing his control over the political dynamics in Rivers State.