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No Credible Polls Under IGP Idris …Tasks Panel On Chieftaincy Classification -Wike
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike says Nigeria cannot have free, fair and credible elections, if the Police refuse to change their operational mentality.
He said that the current Inspector-General of Police believes that he can only retain his office when he rigs for the governing party.
Speaking yesterday at Government House, Port Harcourt when he granted audience to the Rivers State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Governor Wike also berated the NYSC for deliberately refusing to make public the mass abductions of corps members by the police and security agencies during the December 10, 2016 rerun elections in the state.
He said: “Nigeria cannot conduct free and fair elections, if Police do not change their attitude.
“With the present Inspector-General of Police, we cannot have free and fair elections. The IGP believes that he can only retain his position, if he rigs elections and help to deliver a particular party”.
The governor said that Rivers people now know the modus operandi of the police and other security agencies, pointing out that the rigging that took place on December 10, 2016 as facilitated by the Police would never happen again.
He regretted that the Nigerian Police have condescended to the abysmal level of plotting blackmail schemes against Rivers State and her people.
He noted Rivers State has been peaceful since elections are over. He remarked that the conflicts during elections are deliberately generated by the police to create an atmosphere for rigging.
Commenting on the welfare of the NYSC, Governor Wike announced that the state will construct a new states ecretariat for the scheme at Greater Port Harcourt; which will be named after late Corps member, Okonta Dumebi.
The governor directed the Secretary to the Rivers State Government to liaise with the State Coordinator of NYSC to work out an improved regime of allowances for Corps members to be implemented by his administration.
He also announced the donation of a bus to NYSC Rivers State. He said that the administration will expand facilities at the NYSC Permanent Orientation camp at Tai LGA.
Earlier, the Rivers State Coordinator of the NYSC, Omotayo Adewoye had appreciated the governor’s support for the scheme.
He said that the governor as a performer has impacted positively on the activities of the NYSC .
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has inaugurated the state Administrative Panel of Inquiry to review the classification of traditional chieftaincy stools in the state.
The governor charged the panel to review and make recommendations on the grading/classification of existing and new traditional stools in the state in relation to the system of chieftaincy existing within various clans and localities.
Inaugurating the Administrative Panel of Inquiry on Monday at the Government House, Port Harcourt , Governor Wike urged the panel to be courageous in the discharge of its function, because the repositioning of the Chieftaincy Classification is necessary for the stability of the state.
He regretted that the traditional institution of the state was compromised by illegal politicisation.
The governor asked the panel to withstand the pressure that is associated with their assignment.
Governor Wike further charged the panel to ascertain and identify the traditional stools operative in each area of the state, ascertain and identify the area or communities over which each Chieftaincy exercises authority, ascertain and identify the method of selection of incumbents to each chieftaincy in its area of operation and any Chieftaincy stools that were wrongly excluded from recognition, classification and grading.
The terms of reference for the Panel include: “Review applications for traditional chieftaincy stools from material available in various memoranda including Government and Intelligence reports mentioned in such memoranda.
“Make appropriate recommendations on Chieftaincy stools that were wrongly recognised, classified or graded including but not limited to withdrawal of recognition, reclassification and/or declassification of such Chieftaincy stools”.
The governor added that the Panel should make appropriate recommendations on how vacant Chieftaincy stools may be filled.
He announced that the Panel has 45 days to submit its report. He directed the panel to hold her public hearings at the Dr Obi Wali Cultural Centre to accommodate all interest groups.
Responding, Chairman of the Administrative Panel of Inquiry, Sir Sam Egbe assured the governor that the panel will carry out its duties without fear or favour.
He said that the panel will use the assignment as its contribution to the development of the state.
Members of the panel include . Dr Samuel Wenedo, Dr Benibo George, Dr Godspower Jackson Irikana while Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Sir Samuel Ibemeru serves as secretary. . Principal State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Henry Amadi will be counsel to the Panel of Inquiry.
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.