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FG’s Anti-Corruption War Ridicules Nigeria, Wike Laments …Vows To End Killings In Plateau, Other States, If Elected President

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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant and Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that the corruption fight of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government was shrouded in despicable politics that puts Nigeria up for ridicule in the international community.
This is even as the presidential candidate has vowed to end the cold-blooded massacre of citizens of Plateau and other states across the country, if elected president in 2023.
Wike made the observation, last Saturday, when he visited Niger State as part of his ongoing consultation with delegates and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor said it was difficult to explain the rationale of the APC-led Federal Government in handpicking supposed corrupt persons, make them to go through court processes up to Supreme Court, and then, turn around to release them in the guise of pardon.
He recalled that President MuhammaduBuhari’s promise to Nigerians was to fight corruption forthrightly, but added that the pattern was now obvious that it was tilted against those who were opposed to his policy and programmes.
“To tell you the truth, this APC government has deceived us a lot. This is a government that said they are fighting corruption. They handpick people and jail them after they have gone through all court processes up to Supreme Court.
“Then, they turn around to release from prison those people that they said are corrupt. What a country is this? What a government is this?
“Doing it for political reasons because the elections are coming and they want (Joshua) Dariye to help their party in Plateau State. They want (Jolly) Nyame to help them in Taraba State. Why don’t they give pardon to James Ibori, for example?
“Look at how they have made the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute and spend so much money. Then, at the end of the day, you played politics with it. How will the international community look at us? It’s so shameful!”
Wike told the delegates and leaders that he has resolved to end the era of lies by the APC to Nigerians, which was why he was soliciting for the ticket to fly the party’s flag in the 2023 presidential election.
He assured of tackling the festering insecurity in parts of the country so that farmers can return to their farms and grow the economy.
“The day you give me the ticket is the day we will start to form the government, because by giving me the ticket, I know I have won the election already.
“It is only when you have given me the ticket that I’ll make sure that I present, put together the best of professionals that will help me to run the affairs of this country.
“Leadership is the ability to organise and galvanise experts to do the work under adequate supervision and coordination.”
Speaking further, Wike said what he had done in Rivers State was towering evidence of what he was prepared to do as president of Nigeria, if given the opportunity to serve.
He explained that he was a performer, a courageous person; and Nigerians need his fearless personality to salvage the country.
In his remarks, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana urged the delegates and leaders to support Wike’s ambition because he has the capacity to end insecurity and the country’s infrastructure deficit.
“Nigerians, if you want a decisive answer to this insecurity in Nigeria, then, tell the PDP to wisely give you Wike as candidate so he will become president of Nigeria, because I know Wike will preside very well.”
Also speaking, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoTs), Senator Zainab Kure, said Wikewas gender friendly and passionate about the party.
Earlier in his address, Niger State PDP Chairman, TankoBeji, observed that the issues raised by Wike while addressing delegates and leaders were germane.
Beji, who described the forthcoming PDP convention as do or mar, said PDP must not make the mistake of giving its ticket to someone who would end up being a sectional president.
“This party belongs to all of us. We need to put our resources and energies together to work for this party. We want a Nigerian president, not a southern president. We want a Nigerian president, not a northern president. This is the focus. Gone are the days that we will be deceived. We can no longer be deceived. We have come a long way. We have suffered enough.We don’t want to suffer again.”
He commended Wike for his commitment to the PDP, and urged him to ensure that the party’s reward system was overhauled.
“If you become president, and by the will of God, you will, there is a need for you to give the party and the country a redirection. There is a need for you to change the reward system in the party. Gone are the days when somebody will put in his effort, put in his cash, put in his energy, and when we form government, you put him behind, that is not party politics. It is not fair and just,” he said.
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate and Rivers StateGovernor, Chief NyesomWike has vowed to end the cold-blooded massacre of citizens of Plateau and other states across the country, if elected president in 2023.
Wike has also described as regrettable the failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to end the incessant wanton destruction of life and property in Plateau State.
The governor stated this, last Saturday, when he visited Jos, the Plateau State capital as part of his ongoing consultation with PDP delegates and leaders across the country ahead of the party’s convention slated for May 28-29, 2022.
He observed that the under the watch of the APC-led Federal Government, banditry and other horrid criminal activities have been thriving in Plateau State, which was regrettably governed by the same party.
“APC is at the Federal Government level. APC is at the Villa. The only Federal Government project in Plateau is banditry. That is the only project that can be given to Plateau people.”
Wike told the delegates and leaders that if given the PDP presidential flag, he would win the 2023 general election for the party, and subsequently end the menace of heart-wrenching violence in Plateau and other parts of the country.
“Give me the ticket, I will win the election, and this thing will be a thing of the past.”
He explained that he was serious about his bid for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to him, if elected, he would replicate his remarkable achievements as governor of Rivers State in other parts of the country.
“What is important for me is that PDP must take over in 2023. What our party requires now is somebody who can win election for PDP. I am not running to answer the name, former presidential candidate, no. That is not why I am running. I am running election because I know, if you give me the ticket, I will win this election for the PDP and for Nigeria.”
The Rivers State governor commended former Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang; and Senator Jeremiah Useni; for settling their political disagreements in the interest of the party.
According to him, the reconciliation of the two leaders made it possible for the party to win a House of Representatives seat in the recent bye-election in the state.
In his remarks, Plateau State PDP Chairman, Chris Hassan, who acknowledged the role Wike played to reconcile the leaders of the party in state, assured him of the state delegates’ support.
“You came, you saw us in problem; you helped us in settling the issue in Plateau. And along, you brought us one of the most coveted seats that has eluded us for 19 years:House of Representatives. It will interest you that the member representing the House of Representatives is from my own constituency, so, you brought us good tidings.”

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INEC To Unveil New Party Registration Portal As Applications Hit 129

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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.

 

 

 

 

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Tinubu Signs Four Tax Reform Bills Into Law …Says Nigeria Open For Business 

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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.”

 

 

 

 

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Senate Issues 10-Day Ultimatum As NNPCL Dodges ?210trn Audit Hearing 

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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.

 

 

 

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