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2019: Buhari’s Neglect Of N’Delta, Determining Factor -Wike …Anglican Bishops Declare Support For Gov …As Rivers PDP Campaign Train Storms ASALGA
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has decried the total neglect of the Niger Delta by the APC-led Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking during the PDP campaign rally in Ahoada West Local Government Area in Akinima, yesterday, Wike said President Muhammadu Buhari through deliberate manipulation refused to fund major projects across the Niger Delta.
He said: “Even though the Niger Delta produces the wealth of the nation, there is no funding of projects in the area.
“Look at the East-West Road, no serious attempt has been made to fund the project. All other projects in the area have been abandoned…instead, few projects are found in the north and south West “.
He charged the people of Ahoada West Local Government Area to vote for Atiku Abubakar so as to address the developmental challenges of the Niger Delta region.
He said unlike the APC, the PDP is bent on the fulfilment of promises and the enhancement of the welfare of the people.
“When PDP makes a promise, it goes ahead to fulfill the promise. Everywhere in Nigeria, people are voting for the PDP because they keep their promises”, he said.
Commenting on the plot by the APC to disrupt the general elections in Rivers State, Wike said that they lack the capacity to stop polls from holding in the state.
“APC cannot stop the elections from holding in Rivers State. They think they have monopoly of violence. They are engaged in in-fighting and they should face the consequences of their disrespect for the rule of law.
“I call on the President to call members of his party in Rivers State to order. They should stop threatening us that there will be no elections. If there is no election in Rivers State, then, there will be no election across the country”, he said.
Wike said that the APC will not be allowed to create cattle grazing routes in Rivers State.
On the claim by the factional governorship candidate of Accord Party that projects cannot create jobs, Wike noted that perpetual governorship aspirant does not understand the development process.
He said the factional governorship candidate of Accord Party couldn’t successfully operate a dance club, hence he has no business contesting the position of a governor.
Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah said that the people are happy with the governor’s achievements in the area.
He presented Rivers West PDP Senatorial Candidate, Mrs Betty Apiafi, PDP candidate for Ahoada West/ONELGA Federal Constituency, Prince Uchechukwu Nnam-Obi and PDP candidate for Ahoada West State Constituency, Okpokiri Okpokiri to the people, and asked them to vote him.
PDP Candidate for Ahoada West State Constituency, Okpokiri Okpokiri called on the people to give total support for Wike and all PDP candidates
Director General of Rivers State PDP Campaign Council, Amb Desmond Akawor said Ahoada West have just one objective, which is to vote PDP candidates in all the 100 polling units of the LGA.
Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Mr Hope Ikiriko said that Ahoada West will totally vote for Wike.
He said that Wike ways pleases God, hence his enemies are at peace with him.
PDP Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Hon Princewill Ogbobula said that the governor’s achievements have weakened opposition parties in the area.
Leading female musician, Jikume Bethelem thrilled thousands of Wike supporters at the rally.
Meanwhile, Anglican Archbishop and Bishops of the Province of Niger Delta have declared that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike deserves a second term for his outstanding developmental strides.
The Province of Niger Delta Anglican Bishops made the declaration during a programme for an evening of worship and prayers at the Government House Chapel of Everlasting Grace, Port Harcourt.
The clerics who took different prayer points invoked God’s protection and guidance for Governor Wike and other PDP candidates during the 2019 polls.
Leading the prayers, Archbishop of Anglican Niger Delta Province, Most Rev Tunde Adeleye said that Governor Wike represents a rare breed in the Nigerian political space. He said the Rivers State Governor is needed in the state to consolidate on his good works.
He said that the infrastructural development projects of Governor Wike have reshaped Rivers State and the Church firmly stands by the governor.
”God is with you and we will continue to pray for you. We will come again for thanksgiving. God does not institute prayers for nothing”, he said.
Archbishop Adeleye said that Federal Might is full of deceit and lies. He noted that Federal Might cannot stand in the presence of God.
At the Federal Level, he wondered why some unpatriotic politicians are pushing a tired politician to continue because they want to mismanage the resources of the country.
Prayers were said for peaceful elections, credible polls and success of Governor Wike and other PDP candidates at the polls.
Responding, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike expressed gratitude to the clerics for standing with the people of Rivers State.
He said that it is edifying to realise that the Church is standing by them ahead of the general elections.
Governor Wike noted that after the two major elections, all PDP candidates will return to the Church for thanksgiving. He said that the Church will never be abandoned in the state.
The programme was attended by all PDP candidates in Rivers State.
In another development, All is now set as the Rivers State Governor and Governorship candidate of the PDP, His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Wike will visit Buguma in Asari Toru Local Government today, 25th January, 2019 as part of his state campaign rally.
A statement by the Director of Information and Communications of the Rivers State PDP Campaign Council Emma Okah says the campaign rally will take place at the fields of Kalabari National College (KNC), Buguma at 10am.
Some of the major projects undertaken by the Nyesom Ezenwo Wike administration in the LGA include:
Reconstruction of General Hospital, Buguma
Abalama Sandfill & Reclamation
Skill Aquisition Centre, Buguma
Reconstruction of Community Secondary School, Ido
Other schools
The statement urged the good people of Asari-Toru LGA to turn out enmasse and give the governor a resounding reception.
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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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