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My Presidency’ll Address Leadership Deficit -Wike …Vows To Tackle Insecurity, Ailing Economy, If Elected
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has told Nigerians that his presidency would solve the leadership problem that has stunted economic growth in the country.
Wike gave the assurance when he met with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates at the party’s secretariat in Owerri, yesterday, as part of his ongoing consultation ahead of the party’s presidential primary next month.
This is as the Rivers State governor has vowed to expeditiously tackle the festering security and economic challenges facing Nigeria, if elected president.
The governor said he has clarity of purpose and the capacity to galvanise, coordinate the abundant human talents, expertise and resources in steering the county to greatness.
“Each time, our party people will say but for Wike, the party would have died. Now, the same person has come out.
“That Wike who has stood for this party, that Wike who has made this party not to die, that Wike who has made this party to be alive has come out to say I want to now lead this party.
“Nigeria is full of talents. Nigeria is full of people who are intelligent. What is the problem of this country today is leadership.
“You require somebody who can galvanise, coordinate those resources and it takes leadership. If you give me the mandate of the party, I know I will win the election in 2023.”
Wike stated that it was hard to believe that President Muhammadu Buhari was truly in charge of affairs of the country, given the intractable insecurity situation in parts of the country and poor performance of the economy.
He pointed to issues of insincerity in the fight against corruption because persons with such charges on them are either made chairman of the APC or shielded from the course of justice.
Wike assured that his presidency would be in charge of the armed forces, provide them with requisite support, strengthen their capacity to gather intelligence and demand results from them.
This is because, he said, any government that cannot protect life and property of citizens has failed.
Wike pointed out that it is such failure that he was desirous to reverse with the PDP ticket.
“If you cannot protect and property, governance is zero. This is because without life what are roads for? Without life, what are schools for and without life what are hospitals for? People must be alive to go to schools.
“You need a firm, courageous and fearless person. You can’t go to this election without you leading. You can’t be at the back. What I’m fully prepared for is this particular seat, to be the President of Nigeria.”
The governor asserted that without security, the economy cannot thrive and he is courageous to tackle the menace across the country.
He also stated that economists and experts shall be engaged as part of his presidency and be allowed to fashion out modalities and strategies that are required to set the road map in growing the nation’s economy.
Wike said he is passionate about the development of his people and loves the provision of infrastructure as seen in Rivers State.
He assured of replicating the success record secured in Rivers State, when elected president of Nigeria.
Wike told the delegates that his winning chances would have been secured if they give him the party’s ticket because he was the only person who can take the power from APC for PDP on behalf PDP for Nigerians.
Former Gombe State Governor, Dr Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, urged Imo State PDP leaders and delegates to support Wike’s presidential aspiration because he was competent, fearless and above all, kind hearted.
Dankwambo described Wike as a tested and detribalised Nigerian, who believes in development, having unrelentingly delivered dividends of democracy in Rivers state in the past seven years.
Earlier, Imo State PDP Chairman, Chief Charles Ugwuh, said Nigeria was in search of a great leader like Wike at this critical juncture.
“The governor is a unique personage, very courageous, strong willed, clear headed and focused man: A man who is able to state his belief and conviction without equivocation. He represents a great resource for Nigeria and PDP.”
Ugwuh commended Wike for offering himself to rescue and rebuild Nigeria.
According to him, “Imo State loves you because you’re very direct, you’re very outspoken, and you’re not shy to define what you believe.”
Similarly, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has vowed to expeditiously tackle the festering security and economic challenges facing Nigeria, if elected president.
Wike maintained that at this critical juncture, the country desperately requires a leader with political will and courage to decisively end the scourge of insecurity and revive the ailing economy.
The Rivers State governor made the pledge while addressing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), delegations from Borno and Yobe states in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, last Monday.
He observed that in the past seven years, the security and economic situation in the country had deteriorated due to the incompetence of the current All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.
“I came here today because there is a problem, and that problem is that Nigeria is dying, and we must not allow Nigeria to die. We must rescue this country. So, I came as a Nigerian, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, a party I have never left since 1998 till now. A party I have worked for, and will continue to work for. A party I believe with it, Nigeria has hope.
“And so, I want to run for the presidency of this country under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. I came because I feel concerned. I came because I have no other country to run to, and therefore, I have come to offer myself to solve most of the problems that this APC administration could not solve.”
He further said: “Before, people used to talk about insecurity in Borno State.Today, insecurity is all over Nigeria. Hunger does not know Muslim; hunger does not know Christian. Insecurity does not know Muslim; insecurity does not know Christian. Insecurity does not know North; insecurity does not know South. You need somebody who will have the courage to fight insecurity in this country, and I want to tell you that I have that courage.”
He advised the delegates not to be deceived by those who may want to use geopolitical and religious sentiments to influence how they would vote during the PDP convention.
According to him, the socio-economic and security challenges bedevilling the country does not exclusively affect Muslims or Christians alone.
“Nigerians are aware that everybody is suffering. Nigerians are aware that people are dying. Muslims are dying, Christians are dying. Northerners are dying, southerners are dying. We need somebody that can stop all these, and that person is me.”
Wike accused APC leadership of covertly scheming against his emergence as the flag-bearer of the PDP.
According to him, APC leaders are afraid that if Wike clinches the PDP presidential ticket, that would mark the end of their grip on power.
The governor commended the leader of PDP in Borno State, Mohammed Imam for being a steadfast and dependable political ally.
The Rivers State governor also commended his Borno counterpart, Prof Babagana Zulum, for the hospitality and warm reception accorded him and his entourage.
“Let me on behalf of our team, express appreciation and thanks to my brother, the governor of Borno State. Let me sincerely thank you for displaying maturity and this is what we lack in this country. You have shown maturity, irrespective of the party you belong to.”
In his remark, Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum said the unity of the nation, deepening internal democracy, promoting peace, social cohesion, and stability in Nigeria, cannot be overemphasised.
“The nexus between peace and development need not be overemphasised. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be divided along political lines to the detriment of the vision of developing one strong Nigeria.”
Zulum thanked Wike for coming, and wished him well while in his state.
He disclosed that he and Wike were close, and revealed that during the stormy days of Boko Haram, Wike was among few Nigerians who called him on phone to show concern.
In his welcome address, the Borno State PDP Leader, Hon. Mohammad Imam explained that he was one of the friends who purchased the expression of intent and nomination forms for Wike, because they were convinced of his capacity to lead Nigeria out of its current socio-economic predicaments.
Imam, who spoke on behalf of PDP delegates in Borno and Yobe states, decried the nonchalance shown by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to issues of security that has crumbled business in the two states.
“We in Borno and Yobe are business people. We are bordered with three countries: Niger, Cameroon and Chad. Our people are businessmen.
“On a daily basis, lots of people here can attest to that, over 2,000 truck-loads of goods come out from Maiduguri market, cutting (taken)across these three Trans Sahara regions that I’ve mentioned: Maiduguri, Banki-Bama to Cameroon, Lake Chad, Niger, up to Central Africa and Libya.”
Imam also expressed grief over the level of devastation that their communities have suffered within the period because of the unrestrained marauding Boko Haram killers.
According to him, despite their cries, there has not been meaningful response from the Federal Government.
He said they were now looking up to Wike who was a man of vision and courage to rescue Nigeria, guarantee safety to Nigerians and improve the economy.
“We are peasant farmers; we don’t go to farm now. Our people cannot access their farms. In the Lake Chad, we are fishermen. 40percent of the fish consumed in Nigeria and other Sub-Africa states come from Lake Chad Basin.
“Why we want you to be the President and Commander-in-Chief of this country is because we have hope in you as a person because we know your capacity.
“We know your capability. We know your vision for this country. We have no other hope here in Borno, particularly in the North-East, without you at the helm of affairs at the Aso Villa come 2023.”
Speaking further, Imam said the people in Borno and Yobe states would support a man who would restore peace in the area.
“We don’t see any reason why we will have a president that sits down in the Villa while Boko Haram is killing our people in Sambisa Forest here”.
Earlier, Rivers State Governor, and presidential aspirant on the platform of the PDP, Chief Nyesom Wike had paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum at the Government House, Maiduguri.
Wike, who was accompanied by former Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe and former Attorney General and Minister of Justice,Barrister Michael Aondoakaa, later addressed delegates from Borno and Yobe states before departing Maiduguri.
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.”