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Rivers Women Endorse Wike For 2nd Term …As 15,000 Non-Indigenes Join Endorsement Train
Thousands of Rivers women, yesterday, joined the emerging tradition in the state as they stormed the Government House, Port Harcourt, to endorse Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for a second term.
Also, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike declared that supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) to form the Federal Government in 2019 was akin to digging the nation’s grave, as the country was already dead since they gained control in 2015.
Rivers women declared that they will follow their endorsement with massive rural and urban mobilisation of all groups to vote overwhelmingly for Wike in 2019.
The women in their thousands marched from Mile One to Government House, Port Harcourt, celebrating the governor and creating awareness on his achievements.
As they marched to Government House, they displayed banners and placards urging Wike to seek re-election.
The women were drawn from the 23 local government areas of the state, with each highlighting the projects executed by Wike in their respective councils.
In a solidarity message, former Rivers State Chairman of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Mrs Florence Amiesimaka said the governor has made Rivers people proud through development projects, hence, the endorsement.
She assured the governor that Rivers women will stand with him all through the electioneering period up to his re-election.
Spokesperson for Rivers South-East Women, Mrs Charity Demua declared that the women have experienced good governance under the leadership of Wike, saying that they will reciprocate by re-electing him.
Mrs Macetelli of Rivers West and Mrs Carol John of Rivers East stated that the infrastructural development of the state by the present administration has had positive impact on the lives of women and their businesses.
Rivers State Women Affairs Commissioner, Mrs Ukel Oyaghiri lauded the governor for his commitment to the welfare of Rivers women.
In his response, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said that all Nigerians, irrespective of gender, have a solemn responsibility of ending the failed APC-led Federal Government in 2019.
He said that the nationwide breakdown of security, especially in APC states, exemplifies the failure of the incumbent administration to productively manage national resources.
Wike said: “Nigeria is in crisis. Never in the history of this country have we had crisis of this magnitude. Rather than resolve developmental challenges, they continue to give excuses for their failure.
“We must come together in 2019 to protect our votes. Supporting APC is like digging our graves. The country is already dead under their control. Every day, the country is moving from one problem to another,” Wike said.
The governor stated that APC leaders from the state take pride in de-marketing and destroying the economy of the state for political reasons.
He charged Rivers women to jealously protect their permanent voters’ cards as that was the only weapon to uproot the APC in 2019.
Wike announced a business development scheme worth N500million for Rivers women in 2018, adding that the fund will be domiciled at the Rivers State Microfinance Bank and managed by the Ministry of Women Affairs.
He said the empowerment scheme will assist the women develop small-scale businesses, stressing that the state Women Development Centre will be completed in 2018.
Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of gifts by the women to the Rivers State governor.
Meanwhile, over 15,000 thousand non-indigenes living and doing business in Rivers State, last Wednesday, endorsed the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for a second term.
This is as the Rivers State governor, urged Nigerians, irrespective of their linguistic and religious affiliations, to use their voter’s card to sack the non-performing All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government
The non-indigenes, under the platform of Non-Indigenes Without Borders trooped to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, where they declared their unalloyed support for Wike come 2019.
The non-indigenes announced their endorsement of the governor during a solidarity visit to the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The visit was like a carnival as different ethnic groups displayed their cultural dances and attires.
The non-indigenes stated that their support for Wike stems from his outstanding development strides which have improved their standard of living.
Spokesman of the Igbo community in Rivers State, Chief Emeka Vitalis said that the Igbos will vote en-masse for Wike because his development projects have helped their businesses to grow.
In their separate remarks, spokespersons for the Yoruba and Edo/Delta communities in Rivers State, Alhaji Omotayo and Henry Iyoha, respectively, said their endorsements of the Rivers State governor stem from his commitment to the welfare of all residents of the state.
The Bayelsa community, represented by Agbai Tom, Akwa Ibom/Cross River State community led by Obong Godwin Inyang and the Muslim community in the state led by Hajia Mariam also announced their respective endorsements for the re-election of Wike.
Spokesman of the Hausa community, Alhaji Maisundu said his people will mobilise votes for Wike in 2019 because he was a de-tribalised leader.
Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Onowu, who is a non-indigene, noted that the Rivers State governor has been a father to the non-indigenes, carrying them along as he develops the state.
Responding, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike assured the non-indigenes that he will continue to deliver quality projects and programmes that will improve the lives of residents of the state.
He declared that all residents of Rivers State should remain resolute in their commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that they should not fear the evil machinations of the APC.
Wike said because the people have discovered that the APC was full of lies and deceit, the party may resort to rigging in 2019, adding that the APC will fail in Rivers State in the next elections.
He said: “Nobody should be afraid of anyone. Anyhow they want it, we are ready. There is nothing like do or die in this election, only God gives power. We believe in God, that is why we always defeat them.
“Whether they go to the United States of America or North Korea to bring anything, we shall withstand them. The only weapon you have is your voter’s card. Mobilise and use your voter’s card, that is the weapon that will remove them from office”.
He regretted that after two and half years, the APC-led Federal Government has no single project in Rivers State and assured that the state will be ‘a no-go area’ for them in 2019.
Wike said that contrary to the allegations of the APC ahead of the 2015 General elections, he has proved that Rivers State was a home for all by carrying the non-indigenes along through appointments and projects.
“I will always fulfill my promises. I will never give excuses. I am not like the APC that thrives in excuses. My commitment remains to deliver on projects”, Wike said.
The governor assured that he will respond to the request to seek re-election at the appropriate time.
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.