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Rivers APC In Shambles …As Abe, Amaechi’s Rift Tears Party Apart …Place Rivers First, Wike Tells Politicians

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The crude display of power between the two factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, which necessitated the organisation of two separate events at two different locations in the state, last Saturday, has further deepened the protracted crisis in the party, thereby threatening to tear the party apart.
Some members of the party, who spoke with The Tide last Saturday, after the rally in Bori in Khana Local Government Area, said that the organisation of the thanksgiving service for elected APC members at Polo Club in GRA, Port Harcourt at the same time that the party’s rally in Bori was going on shows that the two factions were bent on destroying the party in the state.
They said that if the situation continues, they may pull out of the party, albeit, politics for good.
Those who spoke to The Tide also criticised the factionalisation of the party, and described it as an unnecessary display of power and arrogance.
In his opinion, Patrick Amara said the display of power between former state governor and Transportation Minister, Chibuike Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe had dealt a terrible blow on the APC in Rivers State.
According to him, “What is more worrisome is that some politicians instead of trying to douse tension, they have taken sides, and derive joy in mocking the party and those at the helm of affairs.
Amara said he wondered how fractured and factionalised APC in Rivers State can put the wobbling party together to enable it contest and win any election in Rivers State against a formidable and united Peoples Democratic Party team.
‘’How can a bruised and factionalised APC put disillusioned and disenchanted members together for the 2019 elections in Rivers State?’’, he said.
But in reaction to comments accusing the senator representing South-East Senatorial District, Magnus Abe of fixing his thanksgiving service on the day the APC had scheduled a rally in Bori, the lawmaker said he consulted all party stakeholders, including the failed gubernatorial candidate for the 2015 elections, Dr Dakuku Peterside, before fixing the event.
Abe expressed shock that he was accused of deliberately fixing his victory thanksgiving on a day already fixed for a ‘Free Rivers’ rally in Bori.
According to him, “I spoke with my brother, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, he promised to attend.
“I did not just invite my brother, Peterside, I spoke with him and discussed my victory thanksgiving service. He told me that he had a NIMASA event in Lagos on the 10th of February but he would do all he could to work around the event and honour our invitation”, Abe said.
“He never mentioned a ‘Free Rivers’ event fixed for the 10th of February because there was none planned at the time we spoke,” the senator added.
Abe said “The ‘Free Rivers’ event in Bori was hastily fixed for the 10th of February merely to showcase the power of a man and to show to the world that Ogoni people were not with me.
“Whether that succeeded or not is another story. The dilemma my friend, Peterside, is in merely goes to show that no one is free in ‘Free Rivers’. If Peterside was one of the organisers of the Bori event, then it was clearly done in bad faith because he had prior knowledge of my victory thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt”, Abe added.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on Rivers politicians and political office holders to always place the state first in all their dealings.
Speaking during the thanksgiving service in honour of elected All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the National Assmbly and the state House of Assembly in Port Harcourt, last Saturday, Wike, said all political office holders should ensure the rapid development of the state.
He said this is the time to cooperate as leaders of Rivers State and build the state for the benefit of her people.
The governor said: “The state should be the first to be considered at all times. The interest of the state is paramount.
“When we come together, all we should preach is how Rivers State should be the number one state in the country.”
According to the governor, when the time for election comes, politicians can jostle for positions.
He explained that the APC members emerged victorious because God ordained their victories.
In his address, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki urged the APC in Rivers State to reconcile, pointing out that they would have challenges if their internal conflict persists.
He said that the party ought to have one programme last Saturday, but complained that the two programmes at different locations revealed that something was wrong.
Saraki said: “Without peace and reconciliation, victory will not be easy. There should be only one APC in Rivers State. What is happening is wrong. Let us have unity and let us work together”.
Also speaking, the senator representing Rivers South-East, Magnus Abe said as Rivers people, there shared a common destiny and heritage.
He said that the people reserve the right to determine who their leaders would be, stressing that the state must come first.
Abe said: “Now is the time to put the interest of the state ahead of anything else. We must work together, so that the people can benefit from the politics we play”.

 

Chris Oluoh

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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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