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2019: We’ll Return Wike As Governor – Rivers West …As Kwakwaso, Security Council Condole Gov Over Aguma’s Death
The Rivers West Senatorial District, last Monday endorsed Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for a second term, saying that they are satisfied with his excellent performance.
Thousands of leaders and PDP members from the eight local government areas of Rivers West Senatorial District converged in Ahoada where they communicated their resolution to the Rivers State governor.
From one local government area to the next, the people of the district defied the heavy rain to display their support for Wike.
Leader of the Senatorial District and former presidential aspirant, Chief Feddy Alabraba said the endorsement of Wike was premised on the fact that the governor has touched all the eight local government areas of the district.
“The people of Rivers West Senatorial District are for Governor Wike. In view of the good works of Governor Wike, we have resolved to overwhelmingly vote him again in 2019”, he said.
Former Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo said the eight LGAs of Rivers State are direct beneficiaries of the quality projects of Wike.
He outlined the projects executed by Wike on local government by local government basis, noting that Wike deserves the massive support he enjoys.
He said: “You have proven to the people of Rivers West Senatorial District that you are the only man to stand with them irrespective of the situation.
“You were the first governor to oppose cattle colony in the South and you opposed the anti-people bill on the water-ways. The people are sure that you will defend their interests at all times”.
First Class traditional ruler, Eze Ekpeye Logbo, Eze Robinson O. Robinson declared that the people were happy with Wike, hence the resolution of the district to support his re-election.
Responding, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike declared that Rivers PDP would win the 2019 elections in honour of the late Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
He said: “From what I am seeing here, 2019 is concluded. Nonetheless, we should expect alignments and re-alignments. In Ahoada East, we need someone who will complement the efforts of Edison.
“In this election, we must not give room for manipulation. APC has nothing to offer Nigeria. After three years, they should be booted out”.
He warned security agencies against being used to rig elections, saying that when the chips are down, the APC-led Federal Government will abandon the security agencies as they made DG DSS a scapegoat.
He said that he would not be intimidated by EFCC, saying that his commitment to the growth of the state was total.
A minute silence was observed in honour of the late Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State.
Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of icon of the re-election to Wike by the Eze Ekpeye Logbo.
A minute silence was observed in honour of late Emmanuel Aguma.
Meanwhile, the former Governor of Kano State and presidential aspirant, Rabiu KwanKwaso, has consoled the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, over the death of the state Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Emmanuel Aguma, SAN.
Kwankwaso, who paid a condolence/courtesy visit to Wike, last Monday in Government House, Port Harcourt, said news of late Aguma was a shock to him and members of his team.
“It was a shock when we heard of it. We felt we should condole with you”, he said.
The aspirant urged the governor, people of the state, and immediate members of the bereaved family to take heart.
Kwankwaso, who is one of the presidential aspirants in the plate for of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), praised Wike for transforming the state through massive infrastructure.
Noting that Wike deserves a second term in office, Kwankwaso stressed that Wike would take the state to an enviable height, if he leads the state for another four years.
“We pray to God to give us long life and health to see you completing a second term so that you can revolutionise the entire state.
Responding, Governor Nyesom Wike said, “On behalf of the people of Rivers State, I most sincerely thank you for coming to sympathize with us over the loss.
Wike described late Aguma as a committed and loyal person in his cabinet, adding that it was difficult to get someone to fill the vacuum created by his sudden exit.
He said the state never had any legal crisis under his administration because of the way handled affairs.
“In this world whatever position you have, use it to service God and mankind”, the governor said.
He commended Kwankwaso for coming back to the PDP, noting that Kwankwaso would be very valuable in the victory of PDP in 2019.
Similarly, service commanders of the Rivers State Security Council, last Monday, paid a condolence visit to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike over the passage of the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Emmanuel Aguma (SAN).
The service commanders, who were led by the Assistant Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service, Zone C, Sanusi Umar, comprised of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, DSS, Nigerian Police, Civil Defence, NDLEA, Nigerian Immigration Service, Customs and FRSC.
Umar described the late Attorney General of Rivers State as a very reliable and industrious public officer.
While condoling with the government and people of Rivers State on his sudden demise, the Assistant Comptroller of Customs said late Aguma was a true professional.
He said: “All of us here interacted with him while he was alive. He was a true professional who was very reliable and industrious. He was active, cheerful and broadminded.”
Responding, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike reiterated that the late Attorney General of Rivers State was one of the best hands in the State Executive Council.
He said that it will be difficult to find a replacement for him as he was an embodiment of selfless service, professionalism and loyalty.
Wike explained that he noticed that the late Attorney General of Rivers State was ill during the series of commissioning.
He said though the Attorney General offered to witness the commissioning of National Industrial Court, he insisted that he should travel for urgent treatment.
The governor said that the passage of the Attorney General of Rivers State is very devastating at this time.
“No matter how painful it is, we cannot question God. Everything will be done to give him a befitting burial”.
Wike said that consultations are on with all major stakeholders to arrive at the burial date for the Attorney General of Rivers State.
The Rivers State Security Council later moved to the family of the Late Attorney General of Rivers State where they condoled with his aged mother.
At the home of the late Attorney General of Rivers State, very prominent Rivers leaders are condoling with the family.
Former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili and his wife, Justice Mary Odili were on ground to pay their condolences.
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.
The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) said over 17 million Nigerians travelled out between 2023 and 2024.
This is as the association announced that it would be organising a maiden edition of Eastern Travel Market 2025 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital from 27th to 30th August, 2025.
Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone, Hope Ehiogie, disclosed this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt.
Ehiogie explained that the event aims to bring together over 1,000 travel professionals to discuss the future of the industry in the nation and give visibility to airlines, hospitality firms, hospitals and institutions in the South-South and South-East, tagged Eastern Zone.
He stated that the 17 million number marks a significant increase in overseas travel and tours.
According to him, “Nigerian travel industry has seen significant growth, with 17 million people traveling out of the country in 2023”.
Ehiogie further said the potential of tourism and travel would bring in over $12 million into the nation’s economy by 2026, saying it would be a major spike in the sector, as 2024 recorded about $4 million.
“The potential of tourism and travel is that it can generate about $12 million for the nation’s economy by 2026. Last year it was $4 million.
“In the area of travels, over 17 million Nigerians traveled out of the country two years ago for different purposes. This included, health, religious purposes, visit, education and others,” Ehiogie said.
While highlighting the potential of Nigeria’s tourism, he said the hospitality industry in Nigeria has come of age, saying it is now second to none.
The Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone further said, “We are not creating an enabling environment for business to thrive. We need to support the industry and provide the necessary infrastructure for growth.”
He said the country has a lot of tourism potential, especially as the government is now showing interest in and supporting the sector.
Ehiogie emphasized that NANTA has been working to support the industry with initiatives such as training schools and platforms for airlines and hotels to sell their products.
He added, “We now have about four to five training schools in the region, and within two years, the first set of students will graduate. We are helping airlines sell tickets and hotels sell their rooms.”
Also speaking, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NANTA, Stephen Isokariari of Dial Travels, called for more support from the industry.
Isokariari stated, “We need to work together to grow the industry and contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
“With the right support and infrastructure, the Nigerian travel industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.”