The political landscape of Rivers State has been marked by significant tension, drawing sharp criticism from Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike. Olayinka openly likened Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to a weak politician, specifically citing Fubara’s alleged inability to garner the support of at least 12 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly after two years in office. In a post on his official Facebook page, Olayinka provocatively suggested that if the governor is unable to navigate the complexities of politics, he should "go home and stay with his wife".

Olayinka further illustrated his critique by recounting how former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose effectively managed a similar situation immediately after being sworn in. According to Olayinka, when Fayose was elected governor in 2014, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held only one out of the 26 seats in the Ekiti State House of Assembly. However, Fayose swiftly altered this narrative, ensuring that by his swearing-in on October 16, 2014, the PDP had 7 House of Assembly members, with an additional two All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers working with him covertly. Olayinka highlighted Fayose's strategic ability to secure six APC members to decamp to the PDP, thereby meeting the requirement of nine members to form a quorum in Ekiti. This was starkly contrasted with Fubara's predicament, where he reportedly could not secure 12 out of 32 assembly members and even diminished his existing support by appointing one of his four allies as Chief of Staff, reducing his direct legislative backing to three.

Amidst these political maneuverings, Governor Siminalayi Fubara himself addressed the impeachment notice issued by the Rivers State House of Assembly, playfully describing it as a "love letter." This notice, which also targeted his deputy, Ngozi Odu, stemmed from alleged gross misconduct by the Fubara administration. Despite an interim order from the Rivers State High Court aiming to halt the impeachment proceedings, the assembly confirmed on Friday that the state Chief Judge had received and acknowledged the notice. Speaking to his supporters during the grand finale of the week-long 2026 NPA Port Harcourt International Polo Tournament, Governor Fubara maintained a defiant stance, stating his determination not to be distracted by the political occurrences and reaffirming his administration's commitment to supporting those who genuinely wish well for Rivers State.

Governor Fubara boldly declared his continued authority, asserting that he remains the governor of Rivers State despite the ongoing impeachment attempts. During the same polo tournament event, he assured the public that Rivers State remains secure despite the prevailing political crisis. He commended the event organizers, stating that their successful staging of the tournament for a week, and the president's confident declaration of no incidents, served as tangible proof that his administration is effective and the state is safe. Fubara underscored that ensuring the safety and well-being of the state is a fundamental responsibility of his government, reinforcing his resolve to fulfill his promises to the people of Rivers State and not to succumb to political pressures.