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Nigerians Proud Of Wike , Says Saraki …Commissions 12.2km Obiri-Ikwerre-Airport Road …Declares Rivers Safe For Investment
The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has commissioned the Obiri-Ikwerre Airport Road linking Obio/Akpor to Ikwerre local government areas in Rivers State, with the declaration that the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has made Nigerians proud through the signature project.
Commissioning the Obiri-Ikwerre Airport Road reconstructed by Wike, last Saturday night, the Senate President noted that the road was important because it would enhance investment opportunities in the state.
Saraki said: “This is a road that is significant in the sense that it is from here that investors will come into the state.
“If you stand here and look across, you will be proud to be a Nigerian. Looking up there, I can see Nigeria is working and it can work better”.
He said from the projects commissioned in Rivers State within the period, it was obvious that Wike was focused with the Rivers people fully in support of him.
The Senate president urged Nigerians not to lose focus and hope, saying that the country would eventually work.
“We are determined that there will be peace in this country. Those that don’t do the right thing will be sanctioned for not doing the right thing.
“We are determined that from every part of the country, this country belongs to us”, he said.
He regretted that three years were wasted trying to fight him, and noted that the three wasted years would have been used for the development of Nigeria.
Saraki charged Nigerians to continue to fight for the development of the country, and declared that Rivers State was safe for major investments as exemplified by the presence of Indorama.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike stated that with the Senate President, Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliation, would continue to fight the forces of darkness.
He called for the upholding of the rule of law across all tiers of government, saying that was the only way to attain progress in the country.
Wike said: “Any government that does respect the rule of law is the most corrupt government. This is because you cannot fight corruption without the rule of law”.
While berating the federal authorities for using EFCC to illegally probe the finances of Rivers State despite a subsisting court judgement yet to be vacated by a higher court, Wike condemned the Executive Order on corruption, which he said was unconstitutional.
Wike told the Senate President that his political party, the APC, has not kept her promises to Nigerians.
He thanked the Senate President for commissioning the 12.2-kilometre dual carriageway, stating that despite distractions, his administration continues to deliver meaningful projects.
The governor said before the reconstruction of the Obiri-Ikwerre Airport Road by his administration, the road had been impassable due to abandonment.
Wike, who congratulated the Senate President on his victory at the Supreme Court, said that Rivers people would always stand by him.
He said that the frame-up of the Senate President for armed robbery has negative consequences for the country.
Also speaking, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose said PDP was behind Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.
Fayose told the Senate President that APC was now a spent vehicle that could no longer take him to the expected destination, and advised that it was high time the Senate President returned to the vibrant PDP.
In his remarks, Rivers State Works Commissioner, Hon Dumnemene Dekor said that the Obiri-Ikwerre Airport Road was a 12.2-kilometre route that was an architectural masterpiece.
The Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Solomon Eke said Rivers people would re-elect Wike in 2019 because of his outstanding developmental strides.
General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry, Apostle Chinyere Chibuzor said there was rejoicing in heaven and Rivers State because a righteous man was on the throne.
Similarly, the Senate President Bukola Saraki has laid the foundation for the construction of the Fertiliser Train 2 of Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited.
This is as the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike declared that the $3.2billion (USD) for the development of Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited is an investor’s destination.
The Senate President tacitly endorsed the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for a second term when he declared he will be in office in 2021, when the Train two of the Fertiliser Plant will be commissioned.
Performing the flag off, Senate President Bukola Saraki said with $3.2billion invested in Rivers State by the foreign investors, it shows that Rivers people are receptive to investors.
He said: “I am congratulating the people of Rivers State for creating the right environment for this investment. I like the example that Rivers people are setting for others to follow”..
In his address, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike said that Indorama has performed creditably through quality investments in the state.
Governor Wike said that the Rivers State Government will sustain the creation of a peaceful environment for the protection of Indorama’s investment.
“We are beneficiaries of the dividends of Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Petrochemicals Limited. We are happy with the management of the company “, he said.
The governor wondered why anyone would say that Rivers State is not safe for investments, when the Foreign Direct Investment by Indorama has hit $3.2billion.
“I am happy that within my time as Rivers State Governor, we commissioned the first train and the flag off of the second train for the Fertiliser Plant.
“If an investment of $3.2billion can be in Rivers State , how can anyone say that Rivers State is not safe. The Nigeria you are hearing is Rivers State “, the Rivers State Governor said
On the Supreme Court judgment on the Senate President, Governor Wike said that it is historic that Rivers State is the first state hosting the Senate President for an official assignment after the landmark judgment.
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.