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Rivers Celebrates Wike As Gov Inspects Projects …We’ll Support Victims, Families Of Polls Violence -RSG

Thousands of Rivers people turned out on the streets of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas to celebrate Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Saturday.
Singing and dancing, the men and women of Rivers State declared their unwavering support for Wike as he proceeds into his second term.
A happy Wike, waved and exchanged pleasantries with the market women, men and youths, while on a tour of on-going projects.
He visited Mile One Market, Fruit Garden Market and Judges’ Quarters.
The governor was accompanied on the project inspection by former Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Austin Opara, Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah, former Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo, former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo, Edo State PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, House of Representatives member, Hon Ken Chikere, Senator Lee Maeba, Senator Olaka Nwogu, Elder Frank Owhor and Prince Emma Anyanwu.
At the Mile One Market, the construction workers sang the PDP more projects song.
They sang the praises of the governor, and stated that they re-elected him because of his outstanding projects’ delivery.
At the Fruit Garden Market, the market men and women sang popular Wike campaign songs, dancing in celebration of his victory at the polls.
They thanked God for the victory of the PDP at the Governorship and House of Assembly elections.
Similarly, construction workers at the Judges’ Quarters, Eligbam in Obio/Akpor LGA, celebrated Wike, accompanying him all through the inspection.
Speaking after the project inspection, former Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru said that he was impressed by the projects.
Ikuru said: “You see the response of the people, it shows how pleasant what the governor has done means to them. It cannot be otherwise. If you have done well for the people, the people will always stand by you”.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Austin Opara said that the Rivers electorate were solidly behind Wike.
“Rivers electorate are solidly behind the governor. They are behind the PDP. The rating has continued to increase. He has done well and he has delivered. This is a payback period and Rivers people are paying back positively”, Opara said.
Former Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo said that the reaction of the people shows that the governor was very popular.
Danagogo said: “It is spontaneous. This is an impromptu and unplanned tour. I can tell you that as a Rivers man; I am very happy and proud. This governor has not only provided markets, he has provided world class facilities. We as Rivers people are proud of him.
“Already, Rivers people have given him the opportunity. You know what happened during the elections. Let God crown our efforts, so, that he can replicate all these projects”.
Addressing journalists after the projects inspection, Wike stated that he would increase the tempo of projects’ delivery during his second term.
He said that he was happy with the reception of the people because it proves that Rivers people appreciate his performance.
“You can see that people are happy. If they are happy, we are happy. We are confident of victory at the end of the day.
“It means that the people appreciate what we are doing. They are happy with the PDP. When INEC declares the results, we are sure of victory.
“We assure the people of more projects during our second term. We shall continue to deliver more projects for the people of Rivers State”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government says it will stand by the victims and families of election violence in Abonnema with a view of giving them succour.
The state Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo stated this when the Committee on Intervention for Families of Victims of Violence in Abonnema, during the Presidential and National Assembly Elections of February 23, 2019 visited the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel at his palace in Abonnema, last Friday.
According to Banigo, the State Chief Executive, Chief Nyesom Wike set up the committee to interface with the community, identify people that suffered from the attack, reach out to their dependents and let them know that government was concerned about their plight.
“His Excellency wants you to know how much he cares, how much he sympathizes, and how he is ready to support this community to go through this horrible event”, she stressed.
The deputy governor, who expressed regret that many innocent lives were cut short for participating in a normal election process, prayed that such tragic incident would never happen again.
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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.”
Featured
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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