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Security Challenges: We Won’t Permit Vigilante Group Proliferation -Wike …Seeks More International Flights To PH …As Turkish Airlines Maiden Flight Lands PH Int’l Airport
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that the state government would not permit the proliferation of vigilante groups, stating that youths interested in helping to build the state’s security architecture should join the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency.
This is as traditional rulers of Ahoada East and Ahoada West local government areas submitted arms retrieved from repentant criminals in the areas, after a local amnesty programme.
Speaking at a brief ceremony where he received the Ekpeye Traditional Rulers from Ahoada East and Ahoada West local government areas at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike said that the decision became necessary after OSPAC from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area started over-stepping their boundaries.
Wike said: “I am being very careful about vigilante groups in all the local government areas because of what OSPAC is doing. They are now going beyond their boundaries.
“We will reintegrate OSPAC into the State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency. Anyone who wants to support the security structure should join the State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency. We will not approve local vigilante for different local government areas”.
He said that some of the criminals may pretend to have repented, only for them to renege after re-arming themselves.
Wike said that the Rivers State Government would no longer operate an amnesty programme, since many of the criminals reneged during the first exercise.
The governor said: “We granted amnesty in the past and some boys went back to crime. For now, we are doing what is called, ‘Binding Over’. If they renege, the law will take its course.
“When the court binds you over, it will be difficult for you to renege”.
While saying that the security agencies were determined to fight crime across the state, Wike commended the traditional rulers of Ekpeyeland and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon Ehie Edison, for taking proactive action to improve security in the areas.
The governor said the state government would reward the Divisional Police Officers of Ahoada East and West and the Joint Task Force Commander in the area, Major Nwachukwu for their roles in promoting peace and security.
Earlier, the Eze Igbu Ukpata, Dr. Felix Otuwarikpo had said that traditional rulers from Ahoada East and West local government areas worked with the security agencies to ensure that peace returned to Ekpeyeland.
He said that the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Ehie Edison, supported the peace process which included confidence building and the return of arms by repented criminals.
He said that 113 former cultists have repented and they turned in their arms, adding that a cultist known as VIP and his group would also surrender on Friday.
Otuwarikpo urged the Rivers State Government to take steps to ensure that the boys don’t return to their criminal ways, and praised the Divisional Police Officers of Ahoada East and West and the JTF Commander for their commitment to peace in the areas.
He said that the Ekpeye Traditional Rulers organised a local amnesty programme, wherein all repentant criminals were taken to the ancestral home of Ekpeyeland for traditional oath taking, explaining that anyone who goes against the oath would face dire consequences.
Wike and the service commanders later inspected the arms surrendered by the repentant criminals.
The Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Ehie Edison, commended the peace initiative of the governor.
He said Ekpeye people appreciate the developmental efforts of the governor.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that the commencement of Turkish Airlines flights to the Port Harcourt International Airport would lead to greater economic development for the state.
Speaking during a ceremony marking the maiden flight of Turkish Airlines to Port Harcourt International Airport, yesterday, Wike said that Rivers State Government was ready to partner with the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for more airlines to operate international flights from the state.
Wike said: “We are happy that Turkish Airlines is now operating from the Port Harcourt International Airport. This will positively impact the economy of the state.
“Outside Lagos and Abuja, Port Harcourt International Airport should be the next destination for international flights and other business opportunities. The Rivers State Government is willing to partner with key stakeholders to ensure that more airlines operate from the state”, he noted.
The governor said Rivers State has great economic opportunities that would be beneficial to investors, explaining that the economy of the state can sustain itself.
He reiterated his approval for the dualisation of the road leading to the Port Harcourt International Airport, saying that engineers of the state Ministry of Works have taken road measurements, yesterday.
In his remarks, Senior Vice President of Turkish Airlines, Mr Karem Sarp said that the Port Harcourt route was the 324th destination of the airline in 124 countries, adding that it was the 57th destination in Africa.
Sarp said that Turkish Airlines was committed to improving social and economic connections in different parts of the world.
According to him, “We are recognised for our unique flight services. We will continue to grow and this is an important destination”.
He said that the Port Harcourt route would link India, United States, China and other important global destinations.
The Managing Director of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Group Captain Usman Sadiq said that the Port Harcourt International Airport deserves more flights, and promised that FAAN would continue to work towards more flights for the state.
Similarly, the Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey, Mr Audu Paragalda said the new destination would improve relations between Turkey and Nigeria.
The General Manager of Turkish Airlines, Lagos/Port Harcourt, Mr Yunus Ozbek thanked the Rivers State Government and FAAN for creating the opportunity for Turkish Airlines to operate from Port Harcourt, and assured that the airlines would live up to the expectations of the people.
The event witnessed the exchange of gifts between the Rivers State Government and the management of Turkish Airlines.
The maiden flight of Turkish Airlines at the Port Harcourt International Airport was greeted by celebration from Rivers people.
Earlier, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had assured that the state government would make critical interventions at the Port Harcourt International Airport to improve the international acceptance of the facility.
Speaking, last Monday, during a courtesy visit by the new General Manager of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for South-South and South-East regions at Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike said the Rivers State Government was committed to making the Port Harcourt International Airport the destination of choice in the country.
Wike said: “I will dualise the access road to the airport from the Port Harcourt-Owerri Road Junction into the airport. I will also reconstruct the road leading to the VIP Lounge at the Airport.
“The state government will also demolish the existing VIP Lounge and construct a befitting lounge. The new lounge will be a storey building. You have made these requests, which I have granted”.
Wike said that in addition to dualising the access road to the airport, the Rivers State Government would install streetlights on the road.
The governor called on the Federal Government to complete the construction of the domestic terminal of the Port Harcourt International Airport.
“In the beginning, I pleaded that I be allowed to intervene in the completion of the local terminal of the airport, but they declined because of politics. Why can’t they complete the construction of the local terminal? Is it because it is Rivers State?”, he asked.
He urged the authorities to forget political considerations and complete the local terminal in the interest of Rivers people and other users of the facility.
In his remarks, the new General Manager of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for South-South and South-East regions, Mr Felix Akinbinu informed the Rivers State Governor that the maiden Turkish Airlines would land at the Port Harcourt International Airport, yesterday, June 25, 2019.
He appealed to the Rivers State Governor to assist in the dualisation of the access road to the airport and the reconstruction of the VIP Lounge.
The airport manager explained that Port Harcourt and Kano international airports were being posted for aerodrome certification, saying that the airport requires the assistance of the Rivers State Government to get through the certification process successfully.
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.
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.”
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.