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2023 Presidency: I’ve Capacity To Salvage Nigeria -Wike …Seeks IBB, Abdulsalami’s Support In Niger …As Bode George, Lagos PDP Back Rivers Gov
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that he has the capacity and energy required to serve and salvage Nigeria as its president come 2023.
Wike made the declaration at Gombe State, yesterday, when he visited leaders and faithful of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as part of ongoing consultation ahead of the party’s presidential primary election.
Also, the Rivers State governor, last Monday, held a closed door consultative meeting on his 2023 presidential bid with two former military heads of state, Gen Ibrahim Babangida; and Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar; in Minna, Niger State capital.
This is as support for the presidential aspiration of Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, continues to grow following his endorsement by former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, and the Lagos State Chapter of the party.
Addressing stakeholders at the PDP secretariat in Gombe, the state capital, the governor urged them not to waste their votes as delegates at the party’s presidential convention on candidates who cannot win the 2023 general election.
“If you want PDP to win election in 2023 I have made myself available. Give me the ticket, let me go and take the power for you. We are talking about who can take this power from All Progressives Congress (APC). That person is me.”
Wike pointed out that people were free to visit Rivers State to see what his administration has done out of love and passion for the upliftment of the socioeconomic status of the people.
The governor stated the need to rescue Nigeria from dying and it required men of courage who love this country to do the work.
“We need to salvage this country. Let us not pretend about it. Insecurity does not know religion. Insecurity does not know ethnicity. Poverty does not know ethnicity. Poverty does not know religion.
“The people who come to kill us, do they look at who is a Christian? Do they look at who is a Moslem? Do they know who is Hausa-Fulani? Do they know who is Igbo? We are dying.
“So, it is not for sentiment. It is not for people to come and tell you, look, it must come from here, no, no. It is for those who have the capacity. If given the opportunity, I will replicate what I’ve done in Rivers State as President of Nigeria.”
Speaking further, Wike berated the APC-led Federal Government for the many lies they kept telling Nigeria concerning improving the agricultural fortune of the country.
Wike said the incoming PDP government will not tell Nigerians lies, make excuses for failure but will work to genuinely improve the life of Nigerians across the country.
“They said they have given over N300billion for agriculture. I have no problem with that. Even if they have spent N1trillion, where is the food?
“I don’t want people going to buy rice and doing pyramid. I want to see to it that agriculture is working.”
Wike noted that APC leaders have accepted that their government has failed and it sets the coast for PDP to reclaim the power and country back to Nigerians.
The governor said the insistence of some public office holders to hire mercenaries to fight bandits and terrorists overrunning the country was worrisome.
“And you have a president staying there, the security chiefs are there, and somebody is saying you must bring in mercenaries. You have seen it that the government has collapsed.
“I’m not the one who said so. Malam Nasir el-Rufai said the government has collapsed. Not me, not you, but APC has admitted that their government has collapsed. The Minster of Transportation said the government did not give him money that was why the bombing of the train happened.”
In his remark, the former Gombe State Governor, Dr Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, commended Wike for visiting the state to formally acquaint PDP stakeholders of his presidential ambition.
Dankwambo, who acknowledged Wike’s excellent performance in office, assured him of Gombe State’s support if he clinches the presidential ticket.
“Power comes from God. God gives power to whom He wants. He takes power from whom He wants. We will contribute to PDP to takeover power. But at the appropriate time, whoever emerges the candidate will sit down with Gombe people and discuss. We will negotiate. We will not be taken for granted this time around. We will work for you, we will work for whoever emerges as candidate of the party under our mutually agreed pact”.
On his part, Gombe State Chairman of PDP, General Abnor Kwaskwabe (rtd) said Wike was a man of integrity, an impeccable leader, a bridge builder, a unifier of men, and whose interest in politics is for public good.
“This is a man that has touched the lives of Nigerians across the six geo-political zones. This is the man when one of the Northern States had fire in their market; nobody came to their rescue except, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.”
Similarly, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Monday, held a closed door consultative meeting on his 2023 presidential bid with two former military heads of state, Gen Ibrahim Babangida; and Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar; in Minna, Niger State capital.
Wike was accompanied on the strategic visit by some of his colleague governors including those of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde; Enugu State, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu; former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam; Senator Suleiman Nazif; and Senator Olaka Nwogu.
Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, and Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu spoke to journalists after the meeting.
In his remarks, Ikpeazu said the delegation was in Minna to consult with the former heads of state in the build up to the 2023 general election.
“I have come with my colleagues, the governors of Rivers, Enugu, and Oyo; some members of the National Assembly and other stakeholders.
“First, to consult with the former heads of state, and discuss national issues: economic development, security, and unity of our country.
“And also, to commend them for their support for the unity of this country. And the discussions went very well; and we will advance it from there.”
On what response they got from Babangida, Ikpeazu said the former military president expressed strong concerns about the need for younger Nigerians to be courageous in taking up the challenge of providing leadership to the country.
“He expressed concerns and said that he expects the younger generation to take up the gauntlet and rescue Nigeria.”
Wike and his entourage also paid a courtesy call on the Niger State Governor, Hon Abubakar Bello at the Government House, Minna.
However, as support for the presidential aspiration of Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, continues to grow following his endorsement by former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, and the Lagos State Chapter of the party.
Wike received the nod of the influential party stakeholders following a closed-door meeting he had with the Lagos leaders of the party and other South-West bigwigs at the Ikoyi office of Chief Bode George, last Sunday.
Present at the meeting were the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde; former governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam; leaders of the party from the South-West, including the Deputy National Vice-Chairman, South-West, Soji Adagunodo, among others.
Expressing support for Wike’s emergence as PDP presidential flagbearer for the 2023 election, Chief Bode George, said the current Rivers governor possessed integrity and youthful energy to lead the country out of its present mess.
George, who was the host, thanked the members of the party in the state for coming to receive the delegation, stressing that Wike had told them in clear terms that he had the capacity to turn the country around for the better.
The former deputy national chairman of the PDP said the governor had the strength, capacity and integrity to rule the country.
He noted that Nigerians needed a bright person who “will take us out of the doldrums and lead us to where we should be.”
George said: “When it comes to integrity, when it comes to politics, when it comes to being absolutely resourceful, Wike is there.
“I must thank you for honouring our brother. We have heard him; he has told us a clear intention. When it comes to integrity, when it comes to politics, when it comes to being absolutely resourceful, he is there.
“He also has on his side that youthful depth that he can run from here to that gate in two seconds, I can’t do that anymore. It’s like army generals we don’t retire, we only fade away. But we need a bright young person who will take us from where we are all in now and bring a fresh breath to this country,” he said.
The Atona Odua of Yorubaland, who eventually secured a yes voice vote, pledged the backing of the Lagos State chapter of PDP.
“We welcome you; we are ready to support you in Lagos. Am I saying the right thing? Those in favour, say aye! Those against say nah!,” he said.
While stating his mission, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, said Nigeria should not be allowed to continue to slide as something must be done to rescue her, assuring that he is focussed and possesses the capacity and integrity to rule the country.
This was just as he vowed to take power back from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the main opposition party in 2023.
Wike restated his plans to reclaim presidential powers for the PDP and arrest the rapid decline of the country.
He said: “We cannot continue to let the country continue its disturbing slide into poverty and negative social-economic outcomes. Something has to be done.
“The challenges facing Nigeria today require a leader that is focused, competent, and courageous. And I can tell you that I have both the capacity and courage to confront and manage these challenges to make things better for this country.”
Wike said he should be given the opportunity to fly the party’s flag for the presidency, come 2023.
“I have spoken to the elders and leaders, and I hope they will get across to you what I said to them.
“Most importantly, we cannot continue to let the country go the way it is sliding, something has to be done.
“Today’s requirement of a leader must focus on capacity, courageous. I can tell you that I have the courage. I am not afraid of nobody. I have the capacity to make things better for this country.
“All I have said to you as elders is: give me the opportunity to represent PDP in the fight for 2023,” he said.
“What I am going to do is we are going to take back the power; we are not begging. They will be ready, and we are ready. The power belongs to us, and we must go and take it back,” he added.
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.”