The spokesman for FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has told Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to take personal responsibility for resolving the state’s deepening political crisis rather than expecting his predecessor to intervene.
Lere Olayinka made this declaration whilst appearing on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, January 28, insisting that Fubara, as the sitting governor, must find solutions to his own problems.
“The problem of Rivers state is for the Governor to solve. He is the one that can solve his problem,” Olayinka stated.
The media aide’s comments come as the Rivers State House of Assembly continues pursuing impeachment proceedings against the governor, intensifying the political standoff that has gripped the state.
Olayinka suggested that Fubara should personally visit lawmakers at their homes to mend relationships, arguing that the governor needs to show more humility when dealing with Assembly members who are his political seniors.
“If I’m a governor, I will go to the house of those lawmakers, re-interact with them and talk to them as colleagues and don’t forget that some of this House of Assembly members are even his seniors politically,” he said.
He added that Fubara should adopt a more modest approach to politics, echoing former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose’s advice.
“There are political seniors, so to relate with them, you have to bring yourself down. Like the former governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose said, this person should bring himself down from his political horse of arrogance,” Wike’s spokesman said.
Despite insisting that Fubara must handle his own affairs, Olayinka acknowledged that Wike cannot completely disengage from Rivers politics, asking, “Is he not from Rivers state?”
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The political turmoil in Rivers has continued unabated even after President Bola Tinubu declared an end to emergency rule in the state in September 2025.
In recent weeks, the state House of Assembly launched impeachment proceedings against both Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, accusing them of gross misconduct.
The lawmakers approved a resolution calling on Chief Judge Simeon Amadi to form an investigative panel to examine the allegations against the executive.
However, Justice Amadi refused to comply, citing court orders that legally prevent him from taking action.
In a letter to House Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the Chief Judge explained that he had received two requests from the legislature dated January 16, 2026, referencing Sections 188(4) and 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution.
“By the doctrine of ‘lis pendens’, parties and the court have to await the outcome of the appeal,” the letter read in part.
“In view of the foregoing, my hand is fettered, as there are subsisting interim orders of injunction and appeal against the said orders. I am therefore legally disabled at this point from exercising my duties under Section 188(5) of the Constitution in the instant.”
Meanwhile, the Oyigbo High Court in Port Harcourt has postponed indefinitely a lawsuit filed by Governor Fubara and his deputy contesting the impeachment process initiated against them.
Justice Florence Fiberesima made this ruling after learning that two separate appeals had been filed concerning the case, deciding that the Court of Appeal must first settle those matters.