Featured
Rivers Can’t Give Its Votes For Free, Wike Insists
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that votes from the state, in the 2023 general election, would be put where a concrete reward was guaranteed for such electoral support.
The governor noted with dismay that since 1999, no state had given votes to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) more than Rivers State, but lamented that such support has never been rewarded because there was no visible benefit in terms of Federal Government projects.
Wike made the observation at the formal inauguration of the Etche Campus of the Rivers State University in Abara community of Etche Local Government Area, yesterday.
The governor also flagged-off the construction of ultra-modern two-storey building of two and three bedrooms’ staff quarters within the campus premises.
Enough of such support, Wike declared, saying that the state cannot settle for the crumbs, but would courageously negotiate for what was befitting to its status.
“At the appropriate time, we will take decision on what to do. This is because since 1999, I want Rivers people to reflect on this, ponder over it; we brought the highest votes to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“I challenge any state to say they brought more votes for the PDP. I challenge any state to say, in terms of support, for the PDP. Which state has given more support than Rivers State? Is there anyone? Since 1999, show me one federal project in Rivers State. Is there anyone? So, if you want our votes, then, tell me what you will give Rivers people. Our votes are not for dash anymore.”
Rivers State governor recalled that while some of his colleagues during the 2019 general election negotiated and gave their votes to President Muhammadu Buhari, Rivers State alone resisted by giving all its votes to PDP.
Such persons, Wike noted, were now talking as if they love the PDP more.
“This (federal) government fought us, but we survived it. Most of them who are talking now, if this Federal Government had descended on them, most of them would have crumbled. They were going to negotiate with Buhari in 2019, that was how Buhari won election. They came to me, I said no negotiation, PDP must win.”
The governor revealed that some of his close associates have expressed concern about his safety, but he has told them not to be bother because God was on his side.
“Some people tell me be careful, they will kill you. Kill who? Who told you that you will not die first before you reach me. So, those of you who are panicking, you don’t need to panic. If you have God, what are you afraid of? They’ve chased us, they’ve fought us but today we are standing strong.”
Wike also clarified his comments on why he said he was willing to deal with those who want to challenge his electoral capacity.
The governor said God has given him power and resources as a governor to do what is appropriately good for Rivers people and will not leave what he would do for God to do.
Wike commended the Rivers State University for not joining the protracted industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) because there was no basis for it.
“Thank God our university did not join the strike because there’s no basis for them to join the strike. Why did I say so? You will recollect some time ago when lecturers were sacked in the university, when the school was shutdown by the previous administration, ASUU never went on strike in sympathy of our university.
“And so, I told the university, I am not here as Father Christmas. If you have your problem, face the government and solve your problem. If any other state has problem, they should solve their own problem. Our students cannot suffer because one university somewhere is not being paid. When we had our own problem, nobody came to sympathise with us.”
Commenting on the project, Wike said it was another fulfilment of the promise made to Etche people, which would definitely drive development in the area.
Wike assured that the staff quarters that have been flagged-off would be completed in the next six months.
He directed the Etche Council Chairman, Dr. Obinna Anyanwu, to, as his contribution; construct a police station opposite the RSU Etche Campus within the next three months in order to provide security for the campus.
Providing a description of the staff quarters, the Rivers State Commissioner for Special Projects, DeinmaIyalla, said, of the two-block two-storey building, one block would have six units of two bedrooms while the other block would have six units of three bedrooms.
Also speaking, Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof Chinedu Mmom, said with the establishment of a campus of RSU in Etche, Wike has provided educational facility that would enable students do more practical for resourceful output.
On his part, Chairman of the Governing Council of RUS, Justice Iche Ndu, noted that Wike has done well, adding that his deeds would remain indelible in the annals of development of education in the state.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Nlerum Okogbule, said the project and other support given by Wike to the institute demonstrate his determination to promote access to education at a sustainable level.
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.