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Wike Decries FG’s Plot To Block Opposition Parties’ Account …As Secondus Condemns Buhari’s Visit To Bauchi

The Federal Government is set to deploy its security and anti-graft agencies to frustrate the opposition through blocking the accounts of hostile state governments, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has alleged.
Noting that the plot was aimed at cutting off funding for the opposition ahead of the crucial 2019 general elections, Wike alleged that if the plot sails through, it was expected to weaken the financial base of the perceived “opposition governors and states” and make them ineffectual in mobilising supporters for the crucial elections.
The governor stated this while fielding questions from newsmen in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
The Rivers State chief executive officer said he had it on good authority that the anti-graft agencies; notably, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) would be used to freeze the accounts of those state governments after spurious examination of their local government accounts, the accounts of the ministries of work, special duties and the Federal Government intervention funds for workers.
“But the real deal is to render the opposition financially incapacitated, so that they can’t mobilise towards the polls,” Wike explained.
“But this is dangerous for democracy. This will further heighten tension in the country. We hope they jettison this evil plot. Elections should not be a do-or-die matter,” the governor emphasised.
It would be recalled that the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier raised alarm on the plot to frame its top chieftains and elected government officials, including Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, Wike, Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, among others.
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, has described as “insensitive” President Muhammadu Buhari’s “reluctance” to visit Benue State.
He said the President should visit Benue State to commiserate with the people and the Catholic Church, which lost two priests and 17 other worshippers “in a senseless killing” by herdsmen.
The PDP chairman said the President should have visited Benue first before embarking on his ongoing two-day visit to Bauchi State.
Secondus said that while the nation and the Christian community, globally, mourn the “brutal murder” of the two priests, the President decided to “jump into an aircraft to Bauchi State” on a two-day visit without going to the venue of the murder in Benue State to commiserate and see things for himself, being the Commander-in-Chief.
He said that the action left everyone to wonder at the alleged lack of emotion on the part of the President concerning the plight of the citizens.
The PDP boss said in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Mr. Ike Abonyi in Abuja, yesterday, that what the President was doing was “a clear show of arrogance and lack of empathy;” wondering why the needless bloodletting in Benue State should not attract his (Buhari’s) feelings.
He said, “There is no time a people need show of empathy and concern more than when they are in mourning mood, as is the case now with the people of Benue State.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the people of the South-East not to allow themselves to be taken for a ride by the Presidency with the claim that its support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid would help facilitate the Igbo quest to have one of its own occupy the highest seat of power.
The party also challenged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to demonstrate its new found love for the South-East by ensuring the implementation of the 2014 confab report, part of which recommendation is the rotation of the Presidency among the six geo-political zones.
In an interview with newsmen, yesterday, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan said if the ruling party was truly in support of the Igbo Presidential aspiration, it should forward the report to the National Assembly for possible input in the amendment of the 1999 Constitution.
He said: “The South-East is a traditional stronghold of the PDP and APC on realising this is coming up with all forms of gimmicks to garner the votes of the South-East. Does APC look like a party that believe in the minority rights? If APC believes in the minority rights, they should go and dust up the 2014 confab report and begin its implementation.
“The question surrounding the possibility of the South-East producing the President is answered in the 2014 confab report. They should take up that report and begin the implementation or forward the report to the National Assembly, and allow the lawmakers to make use of same in amending the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution.”
While urging the people to embrace the PDP platform, the publicity scribe argued that the South-East would continue to receive the attention of the party, arguing that if the South-South could produce the nation’s first citizen on its platform; there was no reason the South-East would not repeat the feat.
“That promise to the South-East is not necessary. If they have not done this (implementation of the confab report), they are merely deceiving our brothers in the South-East. But our brothers in the South-East know that the PDP belongs to all Nigerians. They also know that if the South-South can be President, it is equally certain that the South-East can also be President,” he stressed.
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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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