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Rerun: Rivers Decides, ’Morrow …Amidst Huge Armed Security …INEC Shares Sensitive Materials

All is now set for the conduct of the rerun elections into the remaining legislative seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and the three Senatorial seats at the National Assembly tomorrow.
Consequently, all participating political parties and their respective candidates for the various elective positions have concluded campaigns to canvass for votes from Rivers electorate.
Already, the electorate across the affected local government areas and communities have been sensitised and mobilised to freely exercise their franchise on Saturday.
On their part, the police and other security agencies detailed for election duties have been adequately mobilised and fired up to provide the much needed security and protection to all participants in the electoral process without fear or favour.
Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has concluded arrangements for the exercise which has been postponed several times this year after the botched March 19 attempt.
The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC),says all plans for the conclusion of the outstanding March 19th re run elections in Rivers State have been concluded as materials for the elections were distributed yesterday, Thursday.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak who stated this on Wednesday, during a stakeholders forum in Port Harcourt, stated that the rerun elections will be held in the three senatorial districts, Rivers East, Rivers South East and Rivers West and Eight Federal constituencies seats, Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo, Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro, Bonny/Degema,Akuku-Toru/Asari Toru,Khana/Gokana, Ikwerre/Emohua,Etche/Omuma and Okrika/Ogu.
Elder Ikoiwak also explained that elections would be conducted in ten state constituency seats, comprising Andoni, Asari Toru 1,Asari Toru 11,Bonny,Degema,Eleme,Etche 11,Gokana,Ikwerre and Khana 11, adding that the elections will cut across the 23 local Government Areas and that all the three election types will hold in every polling unit.
The REC noted that Card Reader will be used during the elections as it has been deployed to the local government areas, explaining that the modified voting procedure which involves simultaneous accreditation and voting will be also used.
He further explained that the commission in a bid to ensure a credible and fair rerun election had embarked on various activities such as stock taking/distribution of non sensitive materials, reactivation of registration area centres, sensitization of stakeholders, and peace meetings.
According to him,’’ the commission also recruited ad hoc personnel, trained, received and distributed sensitive materials and had several meetings with the inter-Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to fine tune plans and to ensure that adequate security is provided for corps members, other election officials, electorates and election materials.
Meanwhile, ahead of Saturday’s rerun election in Rivers State, pro-democracy and good governance group, the Wailing Wailers, has urged chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, particularly the National Chairman, Chief Odigie Oyegun and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State to stop making inciting statements capable of sparking violence in the state. APC rally in Rivers State.
The group, said the call became necessary, following what it described as inciting statements made by Oyegun and Ganduje, at the Mega Rally of the APC in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.
The Wailing Wailers in a statement yesterday, in Abuja by its Ag. National Publicity Secretary, Usman Abubakar said: “our attention has been drawn to the inciting statement credited to the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Odigie Oyegun and the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, which has been reconfirmed.
“The statements, which they both made at the APC rallyyesterday, in the run down to the Rivers rerun, reads: “‘If they push you, push them back. If they slap you, slap them back” “As you can see, we came in force. The whole federal might is here”- Odigie Oyegun, APC National Chairman.
“‘If they shoot at you, take cover and shoot them back’-Gov. Ganduje, Kano State. “We are wondering, at what point did election become arm conflict or war in Nigeria? These dangerous and inciting statements by the Chairman of APC and Kano State Governor, must be condemned by Mr President.
If this statement is not condemned by President Buhari, it then means that APC has a plot to set Nigeria on fire. “Elections have been so peaceful, free and fair until APC took over power, and ripped the electorate their power to freely choose who they want to govern them. Since then, elections have become a do or die affair with the APC.
This is sad, we are also aware that all these are preparations to test ground for 2019. “If Oyegun and Ganduje are responsible people who love Nigeria above any selfish political interest, and also willing to lay a good foundation for the youths and incoming generation to follow, they should be working round the clock on how to ensure that Nigeria get out of the present economic doldrums their party has brought upon Nigeria.
They should not be in Rivers to brag about Federal might or to intimidate, induce voters and also incite violence. “We condemn in strong terms the statements and demand that the duo of APC National Chairman and Ganduje who left all the way from Kano state to incite violence in Rivers State, to tender an apology to Nigerians.
“We call on all Riverians to shun and not mind Oyegun and Ganduje call for violence, if you allow them to set your state on fire, they will not take part or bear the consequences with you. We therefore warn the violence promoters to desist from such acts and call for a peaceful election.”
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INEC To Unveil New Party Registration Portal As Applications Hit 129

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

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

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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