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Attack on Judiciary, Threat To Democracy – Wike …Unveils Dev Plan for Mission Schools

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The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that the ruling party has deliberately threatened the foundation of democracy by its orchestrated intimidation of the judiciary through false allegations and illegal arrests.

He stated that because of the orchestrated harassment of judges by the ruling party, no judge will ever deliver judgments against the interest of the Federal Government and the ruling party.

Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt last Friday during a courtesy visit by the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Wike warned lawyers against allowing the deliberate destruction of the judiciary under any guise.

According to him, the ruling party and her officials have elevated the art of frivolous petition writing against judges as a means of subverting the course of justice.

He said: “Our democracy is in danger. Our democracy has been threatened. What is happening to the judiciary is very deep. NBA must be careful of the deep implications of what it is also doing in the course of the present attack on the judiciary.

“All these actions are geared towards silencing everybody as we head toward 2019. If anybody tells you that they are fighting corruption in the judiciary, tell the person that he is lying.

“They have empowered politicians to write frivolous petitions against judges. Whether or not the petitions are true, the judge is compelled to step aside”.

Speaking further, he said: “Any judge who delivers a judgment that is against the interest of the ruling party, is hounded down by the DSS. They have intimidated judicial officers and put fear in them in a manner that is negatively affecting governance”.

The governor cited the ongoing Ondo PDP crisis as a point of reference where frivolous petition has been used to further the interest of the ruling party and destroy the judiciary.

On the December 10, 2016 date scheduled by INEC for Rivers rerun elections, Wike said the fact that it was announced less than 24 hours after the Senate ultimatum was an indication that INEC had been lying to people that insecurity was behind the repeated postponement of the rerun elections.

He, however, said that INEC in its anti-democratic elements will adduce reasons why the election may not be conducted on the same premise of security consideration.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA, Mr Victor Briggs, commended Wike for his commitment to the development of the state.

The Port Harcourt NBA thanked Wike for the construction of the ultramodern law centre for the branch, and assured the government that lawyers will always support all development programmes.

However, the Rivers State, Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has denied having hands in the ongoing judicial scandal against the former governor of the state, now the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

It would be recalled that two Justices of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta and Justice Inyang Okoro, had accused Amaechi of prompting them to pervert justice to favour the All Progressives Congress (APC), governorship candidates, especially in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.

In a statement last Thursday, the Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Dr Davies Ikanya, had accused Governor Nyesom Wike of using the two Justices for political purpose to demean Amaechi.

But in a swift reaction, last Friday, Wike described the statement of his alleged involvement as scurrilous, noting that as governor, Amaechi left a shameful legacy in the state.

In a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George, Wike denied the allegation by the APC, describing the act as a disgraceful plight.

Tam-George noted that the governor had refrained from making public speech on the said subject, noting the state had been justified by the accusation from the two justices.

He said: “The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to yet another scurrilous statement by the Rivers State branch of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Wike has refrained from making public comments on this subject, because the people of Rivers State feel sadly vindicated by these latest scandals swirling around the Transportation Minister.

“As governor of Rivers State, Amaechi left a shameful record of waste and dysfunction. His thoughtless policies and mismanagement of public funds literally broke the economic spine of Rivers State.

“Amaechi has of course always protected his innocence. But even chieftains of his party, the APC, including serving governors, have publicly praised Amaechi for bankrolling the party’s presidential campaigns in the 2015 general elections, and for sponsoring candidates in that election.”

He, however, urged the APC to ask Amaechi to step down from office, in order to allow for a dispassionate inquiry into the serious allegations against him.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has announced the introduction of special financial intervention for the development of schools handed over to their church owners by the state government.

Addressing church leaders during an interactive session at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike directed the state Education Commissioner, Prof Kaniye Ebeku, and the special adviser on religious matters to liaise with the owners of mission schools to work out modalities for the intervention scheme.

He said that the state government took the decision after it discovered that most of the schools returned to their owners were in a state of disrepair.

The governor charged the church leaders to present a united front as they work towards creating the right environment for the development of the schools.

Wike also announced the establishment of an economic development fund for church members in the state.

He said: “This economic development fund will assist church members with health and business challenges to get back to their feet.

“This is like a social scheme that will assist indigent church members in these trying times. It is not meant to build churches, but an empowerment for less privileged members”.

The governor stressed that his administration will always have a human face, pointing out that the people must be shielded from the present day harsh economic recession.

He noted that the improved peace being enjoyed in the state is a function of the prayers of clerics who have supported the work being done by security agencies.

He urged church leaders to pray so that INEC will conduct free and fair elections for Rivers State to have representatives at the Senate, House of Representatives and Rivers State House of Assembly.

On the payment of salaries and pensions of those captured late in the biometric exercise, the governor said that Ministry of Finance has already credited the accounts of affected persons.

In his remarks, Archbishop of Niger Delta Province, Most Rev Ignatius Kattey, lauded Wike for the interactive session.

He commended the governor for setting up a vibrant State Executive Council that has worked hard to develop the state.

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INEC To Unveil New Party Registration Portal As Applications Hit 129

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it has now received a total of 129 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties.

The update was provided during the commission’s regular weekly meeting held in Abuja, yesterday.

According to a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, seven new applications were submitted within the past week, adding to the previous number.

“At its regular weekly meeting held today, Thursday 10th July 2025, the commission received a further update on additional requests from associations seeking registration as political parties.

“Since last week, seven more applications have been received, bringing the total number so far to 129. All the requests are being processed,” the commission stated.

The commission revealed the introduction of a new digital platform for political party registration. The platform is part of the Party Financial Reporting and Auditing System and aims to streamline the registration process.

Olumekun disclosed that final testing of the portal would be completed within the next week.

“INEC also plans to release comprehensive guidelines to help associations file their applications using the new system.

“Unlike the manual method used in previous registration, the Commission is introducing a political party registration portal, which is a module in our Party Financial Reporting and Auditing System.

“This will make the process faster and seamless. In the next week, the commission will conclude the final testing of the portal before deployment.

“Thereafter, the next step for associations that meet the requirements to proceed to the application stage will be announced. The commission will also issue guidelines to facilitate the filing of applications using the PFRAS,” the statement added.

In the meantime, the list of new associations that have submitted applications has been made available to the public on INEC’s website and other official platforms.

 

 

 

 

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Tinubu Signs Four Tax Reform Bills Into Law …Says Nigeria Open For Business 

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President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.

The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.

They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.

The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.

The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.

The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.

“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.

Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.

Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”

Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”

He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.

“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.

According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”

He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.

The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.

However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.

At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.

They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.

After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.

By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.

In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.

“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.

“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.

He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.

The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.

“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”

 

 

 

 

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Senate Issues 10-Day Ultimatum As NNPCL Dodges ?210trn Audit Hearing 

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The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.

Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.

However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.

Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.

A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.

It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.

The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.

“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.

“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”

But lawmakers rejected the request.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.

“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.

“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.

Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.

The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.

Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.

Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”

Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.

The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.

Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.

The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.

 

 

 

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