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Rivers Is Open For Economic Prosperity, Wike Affirms …Says Outcome Of Edo Election, Triumph Of Democracy …Urges Navy To Bring Oil Bunkerers To Book
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says the developmental projects of his administration are designed to create rapid economic growth.
Speaking to journalists shortly after inspecting some ongoing projects in the state, Wike said the urban renewal programme of his administration was a huge success.
According to him, it is amazing to see the speed of construction at the various flyover sites that will improve the economic status of the state.
“Look at the stages of work. They made us a promise to complete the flyovers on February, 2021. This is September, 2020 and the Rebisi flyover is at 95 per cent completion stage.
“The same goes for Rumuogba and the Okoro-Nu-Odo flyovers. I am also amazed at the speed with which the Rumuola flyover is going.
“That tells you why we chose one of the best construction companies, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC. So, we are happy with the money we have spent. These efforts will open up the economy of the state.
“We have turned around the aesthetics of the state with enduring infrastructure with our urban renewal programme. Those who were here about five years ago will be amazed at what is on ground now,” he said.
Wike said he would continue to use available resources to position the state as an Investors’ Haven.
“We thank God to be chosen among seven million people in Rivers State to preside over its affairs. That makes us to remain committed to the mandate.
“I am giving my best, using available resources. So far, we have not disappointed the people of the state.
“It is my wish to be remembered by the legacies I will leave behind. First, we have used infrastructure to create economic activities and provide employment to the youths.
“With the Real Madrid Football Academy, we are determined to improve the skills of youths. They can actualise their dreams of becoming football stars.
“Look at the Mother and Child Hospital. It is at furnishing stage. We have also provided social amenities in all the Local Government Areas,” he stated.
The governor inspected the Rebisi and the Rumuola flyovers, and the Real Madrid Football Academy both in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas of the state.
However, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that the outcome of the Edo Governorship Election would be recorded in history as a triumph of democracy.
Wike stated this when members of the Wike Solidarity Movement (WSM) paid him a solidarity visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The leadership and members of the Wike Solidarity Movement from the 23 local government areas of the state had embarked on an Edo Election Victory Rally, yesterday.
It was also to celebrate the governor for the role he played in securing victory for Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.
The rally took off from the Kaduna Street Junction of the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway and terminated at the Government House Gate.
The Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Engineer Chukwuemeka Woke, received them on behalf of Governor Wike.
He said the triumph of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Edo State election has also brought an end to political godfatherism in that state.
“As Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) National Campaign Council for Edo election, I worked with my colleagues to discharge our duties effectively and efficiently.
“God crowned our efforts with good success and we are grateful for the solidarity we have received since we returned from Edo State.
“I am grateful to Rivers people for their prayers, support, and other levels of contribution.
“The outcome of election is not only a victory for the people of Edo State but also the South-South region and the entire country.
“More importantly, the victory should be celebrated as a defeat of godfatherism in the politics of Edo State,” he said.
Wike urged members of WSM to obey all the health directives on Covid-19 to remain healthy and keep the state safe.
The Director-General of Wike Solidarity Movement (WSM), Prince Sudor Nwiyor, said they embarked on the victory rally in acknowledgment of the outcome of the Edo election.
He stated that their confidence in Governor Wike is not misplaced because he had led the campaign to reclaim Edo State for the PDP.
Nwiyor noted that Edo people listened to Governor Wike and adopted the Rivers model of defending their votes to secure their freedom from godfatherism.
He declared the unalloyed support of WSM to the governor in actualising all his future ambitions.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has said that those who sabotage government’s effort to eliminate oil bunkering should be brought to justice.
Wike stated this when participants of Naval Warfare College Course Four paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.
He noted that oil bunkering which affects the socio-economic development of the country should not be allowed to thrive.
The governor said his administration has given necessary support to security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Navy, by providing six gunboats to secure the waterways.
“We are also procuring more gunboats for the Navy to fight pipeline vandalism and oil bunkering in the state.
“The issue of security should not be politicized as crime and criminality is not synonymous to a particular state.
“No country or state can say that they do not have insecurity. Here in the state, because we are working in synergy with security agencies, insecurity has reduced.
“Let me appeal that the efforts you put in to apprehend those who attack your personnel should also be applied to prosecute those who affect our economy,” he stated.
Wike called on the Federal Government to implement the report that would be submitted at the end of the study tour, and enjoined the participants to use their visit to see the developmental strides in the State.
“We are constructing five flyovers simultaneously. The Mother and Child Hospital is at furnishing stage and the Real Madrid Football Academy will soon open for academic activities,” he added.
Earlier, the Commandant Nigerian Naval War College, Rear Admiral Adeseye Oke Ayobanjo, had commended Governor Wike for hosting the course participants.
He said the theme of the Course is, “Curbing Pipeline Vandalism Towards Enhancing Socio-Economic Development in Rivers State.”
“In choosing to carry out this study, we recognize that the Rivers State Government and other security agencies have been doing so much to curb the menace of pipeline vandalism.
“The participants of the War College will interact with the people and make recommendations to the Nigerian Navy for implementation,” he stated.
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.