Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Rivers State

  • 2023: Rivers PDP Supporters mull mass defection to APC, Labour Party

    2023: Rivers PDP Supporters mull mass defection to APC, Labour Party

    There are indications that the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may lose its strongholds and voter base in Rivers State in the 2023 general elections.

    The imminent upheaval is premised on the expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the just concluded PDP presidential primaries and the controversial selection of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as its vice-presidential candidate.

    Consequently, many PDP stalwarts and supporters are reportedly demoralized and negotiating conditions for defection to either the All progressives Congress, APC, or Labour party.

    Findings in Rivers State uncovered ongoing political horse-trading to occasion a radical collapse of the existing PDP structures into the APC or LP at the zero hours of the forthcoming general polls.

    The plan to shift the PDP record of electoral fortunes in the state to the APC was hinted at by Chief Emeka Beke, the Rivers State APC chairman.

    Beke disclosed this in an exclusive interview in PortHarcourt, Rivers State capital.

    The APC chairman also averred that when the concerted plans would be coordinated and implemented, the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and PDP 2023 Presidential candidate would even win the 25 percent baseline vote required by the extant electoral law.

    When further grilled, Beke explained that the state APC leadership was working assiduously to ensure the former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC 2023 Presidential candidate wins in the whole states of the South-South geopolitical zone and, Rivers State in particular not minding that Tinubu defeated the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in the party’s presidential primaries.

    Besides, discrete investigations uncovered that the parallel APC structures in the state are being harmonized as the disunited state leaders have decided to close ranks to work for the party’s success.

    Reliable sources said the APC political foot soldiers have embarked on aggressive permanent voters card, PVC, and door-to-door campaigns across the upland and Riverine blocs of the state.

    In collaboration, Beke said, “What we are doing now is that we are going around the wards, units and everywhere to campaign and make our people understand the importance of good governance in the state.

    “If you want to win elections you need to mobilize your people. So, first, the people should go and get their PVCs. That is the most important thing.

    “Then make them understand why they need to change from the present PDP government to the APC-led administration in the state come 2023 because Governor Nyesom Wike has failed Rivers people”.

  • Gov Wike Dissolves Cabinet, Sacks Chief Of Staff

    Gov Wike Dissolves Cabinet, Sacks Chief Of Staff

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has dissolved the State Executive Council.

    Mr Kelvin Ebiri, the special assistant to the governor on media, who announced this in a statement on Tuesday said the dissolution of the cabinet was with immediate effect.

    He added that the Chief of Staff to the governor and his Senior Special Assistant (Protocol) have been relieved of their office.

    Governor Wike, in the statement, commended the members of the Rivers State Executive Council for their service and contribution to the development of the state and wished them the best in all their future endeavours.

    He instructed all the former members of his cabinet to hand over to the most senior officers in their respective ministries.

  • Wike Declares 19 Persons Wanted For Operating Illegal Refineries In Rivers

    Wike Declares 19 Persons Wanted For Operating Illegal Refineries In Rivers

    Governor Nyesome Wike has declared 19 persons wanted for operating illegal refineries in Rivers.

    The governor who made the declaration today during a broadcast in Port Harcourt, threatened to expose more accomplices of illegal refiners.

    Wike directed the Head of Service of Rivers State to query and possibly recommend the prosecution of a permanent secretary in the Rivers State Civil Service for aiding the operation of illegal refineries in the state.

    He also directed the immediate prosecution of those arrested for illegal trading and contravening the ban on the use of motorcycles in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt, the two metropolitan Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

    The governor restated the ban on the use of motorcycles in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt, as well as a ban on the use of makeshift buildings and umbrellas by traders in the G.R.A phases one and two.

  • Gov Wike Gifts N30m To Families Of Three Slain Policemen In Rivers

    Gov Wike Gifts N30m To Families Of Three Slain Policemen In Rivers

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has gifted N30 million to the families of three slain policemen in the state.

    The deceased officers – Inspectors Isaac Isodje, Saviour Udeh and Ebenezer Edward – served under the Diobu Division of the State Command. They were murdered by armed men while on a stop and search duty in November last year.

    Presenting the cheques on behalf of the governor to members of deceased officers’ families, the Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim said the gesture is Wike’s demonstration of his commitment to ensuring that the families of policemen who lost their lives in the cause of serving Rivers are not left in misery.

    READ ALSO: Nigeria Will Work With ECOWAS To Assist Mali, Says Buhari

    “This is a token of love from Governor Nyesom Wike to the families. Though money cannot replace a life, it is a way of showing love to all officers and men who serve in Rivers State that the State Government will always be behind them no matter the situation they find themselves in,” he said.

    “So, the amount here is a token of love from the Governor as a man who has the milk of human kindness and compassion to cushion the impact of this great loss.”

    Wike equally commended police personnel for their services to the state extended his condolences to the State Police Command and the bereaved families.

    He prayed to God to grant the bereaved the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • Gov Wike Orders Shutdown Of Illegal Refining Sites in Rivers

    Gov Wike Orders Shutdown Of Illegal Refining Sites in Rivers

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the shutdown of illegal crude oil refining sites in the state with immediate effect.

    In his new year message released on Saturday by his spokesman, Kelvin Ebiri, the governor directed council chairmen and community leaders to report those behind illegal bunkering and crude oil refining sites in their localities to his office for prosecution.

    The move, Wike stated, has become necessary to contain the menace of soot pollution which has continued to endanger public health in the state.

    This is even as he lamented that despite bringing the issue to the attention of the Federal Government on numerous occasions, nothing has been done to address the situation.

    “Since the federal security agencies have largely refused to stop the illegal crude oil refining activities in the state, we have no option than to take necessary measures to tackle this particular and direct challenge to our collective health and survival by ourselves,” Wike said.

    “Consequently, I have directed the chairman of Port Harcourt city local government council to go after all the illegal crude oil refining sites along Creek road and adjourning areas of the city and shut them down with immediate effect.

    “Furthermore, all local government chairmen are directed to work with community leaders to locate and identify those behind all illegal bunkering and crude oil refining sites in their localities and report to my office for further action.”

    There has been a recent increase in activities of illegal refiners and bunkerers in the oil-rich state, a situation that has triggered fear of a likely surge of deadly black soot in the atmosphere.

    Away from the soot pollution, Wike reiterated his administration’s commitment in ridding the state of all forms of criminality in 2022.

    He noted that crime has been at very low rates in Rivers State and the citizens felt safer and more secure last year than in the previous years.

    According to him, the state government identified and destroyed most of the shanties that served as safe havens and hideouts for criminals.

    “To consolidate on the gains of the dislodgement and dislocation exercises, and make the State even safer and more secure, we have decided to demolish all shanties and makeshift structures in identified crime hotspots in Port Harcourt Township and the Illabuchi areas of Diobu from the second week of January 2022.

    “Those rebuilding the shanties we had demolished at Eleme or attempting to resume illegal trading activities at the closed Oginigba slaughter have one week to vacate or be arrested and charged to court.

    “Additionally, we have discovered that most vacant plots or uncompleted buildings in the Old and New Government Reservation Areas (GRA) and some other parts of Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas have been hijacked and are now inhabited by criminal elements who are daily constituting a menace to public safety,” Wike added.

  • JUST IN: South-South Governors Meet In Rivers

    JUST IN: South-South Governors Meet In Rivers

    Governors of the South-South region of the country are meeting in Rivers State.

    The meeting, hosted by Governor Nyesom Wike, is ongoing at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, and his Edo State counterpart, Governor Godwin Obaseki, are part of those at the meeting.

    They arrived around 10:30am and were joined later by the governors of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, and his counterpart from Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel.

    At the time of this report, Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, had yet to arrive for the meeting.

    The meeting is taking place a month before the meeting of the Southern Governors’ Forum, which is also scheduled to take place in Port Harcourt.

    Although the agenda of the South-South governors’ meeting was not disclosed, it is expected to focus on issues bordering on power rotation, the dispute over the Value Added Tax (VAT), as well as the security and economic development of the region.

  • VAT: Rivers State Govt Files Appeal At Supreme Court

    VAT: Rivers State Govt Files Appeal At Supreme Court

    The Rivers State government has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling of the Court of Appeal in the Value Added Tax (VAT) dispute between the state and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Emmanuel Ukala, alongside three other senior lawyers filed a notice of appeal at the apex court, documents obtained on Tuesday revealed.

    The Attorney-General of Rivers State is the appellant while the FIRS and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) are joined as respondents.

    The state government, in the 10 grounds of appeal dated September 13, informed the Supreme Court that it was dissatisfied with the decision of the appellate court delivered on Friday last week in which all parties were directed to maintain status quo.

    It explained that the implication of the ruling of the appellate court was that parties were restored to their positions before a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt granted the Rivers State government the right to collect VAT, instead of the FIRS on August 9.

    In one of the grounds of appeal, Rivers State alleged that the appeal court erred in law when it relied on the provisions of Section 6(6) of the Constitution and its inherent jurisdiction to found its decision to make an order to maintain status quo in the matter, pending the determination of an appeal filed by FIRS.

    According to it, the appellate court in relying on its inherent jurisdiction to make the order failed to appreciate that its inherent jurisdiction cannot be applied in contravention of statutory provisions.

    The state government, therefore, sought relief of the Supreme Court to allow the appeal, set aside the decision of the appeal court which they complained about, and dismiss the oral application for interim injection made by the FIRS.

    It also asked the apex court to order that the substantive appeal by the FIRS and all other processes, be heard and determined by a new panel of the Court of Appeal.

    Following the judgement delivered by Justice Stephen Pam of the Federal High Court, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, assented to the Valued Added Tax Law, 2021.

    The bill had been passed by lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly, along with four others that were also assented to by the governor.

    But the FIRS, which was apparently displeased with the development, filed a motion on notice to apply for a stay of execution on the earlier judgement delivered by Justice Pam.

    The court, in its ruling, refused the application, saying the federal agency failed to file an application to set aside the tax law recently enacted by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    Justice Pam, therefore, stated that the state law on VAT was valid and subsisting, paving the way for Governor Wike to direct the state’s revenue agency to fully implement the VAT law.

    The FIRS later approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja with a civil motion seeking a stay of the execution of the judgement earlier granted by the court in Rivers pending the determination of the case.

    A three-man panel of the appellate court led by Justice Haruna Tsammani then directed all parties to maintain the status quo and refrain from taking action that would give effect to the judgement delivered by Justice Pam, pending the hearing and determination of the instant suit.

  • Rivers Begins Enforcement of VAT Law

    Rivers Begins Enforcement of VAT Law

    The Rivers State Government has commenced implementation of the state’s Valued Added Tax (VAT) Law.

    The state Governor, Nyesom Wike, stated this on Wednesday at an interactive session with representatives of corporate organisations at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    Governor Wike urged the business community to be ready to pay VAT for the month of September 2021 and subsequent months to the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service. According to him, he has already assented to the Rivers State VAT law passed by the State House of Assembly.

    The governor warned corporate organisations not to feign ignorance of the State VAT law.

    He declared that the State government will not hesitate to seal up the premises of any company that defaults.

    “We are going to inaugurate the Tax Appeal Commission by Friday which will be headed by a retired judge of the state,” he disclosed.

    Stating the importance of the meeting, Governor Wike said, it will enable the business community not to fall prey to the antics that could be deployed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) officials, who he said could use force to collect what does not belong to them.

    Governor Wike explained that FIRS officials had in the past collected VAT in the State with impunity, knowing it was unconstitutional for them to do so.

    According to him, his administration challenged their impunity in court and the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, in its declarative ruling, had stated the constitution was right in vesting powers to collect VAT in the State government within its jurisdiction.

    “When we challenged the Federal Government through the Office of the Attorney-General and FIRS in court, do you know what they did? They wrote this letter dated 1st of July 2021. Remember, it was in 2020 that we filed this action against them. But see how corrupt this country is.

    “Corruption is not only about kickbacks, it is also about doing something illegally. We were in court in 2020.Then on July 1st 2021, the chairman of FIRS wrote to the National Assembly through the office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    “He was asking them to amend the constitution and insert VAT under item 58 of the exclusive legislative list, when we were already challenging that it is not their responsibility to collect VAT. They knew that what they were doing was not the right thing.”

    The governor stated that his responsibility in office included making sure that Rivers people are not denied their entitlements.

    He said it was unfortunate that FIRS allegedly resorted to writing threatening letters to intimidate corporate organisations to pay to them even after they had lost their appeal that sought a stay of execution of the declarative ruling on VAT collection in the State.

    Governor Wike described the disparity in VAT proceeds and what was given to the States as an inexplicable form of injustice that weakens the performance potential of the states.

    “Let me tell you the injustice in this country. In the month of June 2021, which we shared in July, VAT collected in Rivers State was N15.1billion. What they gave us was N4.7billion. See the gross injustice and these money includes contracts awarded by the Rivers State Government.

    “This is not an issue of party, it is the issues of infraction of the constitution, issues of illegality. Look at Lagos, it is not the same party with me. In the month of June 2021, the VAT collected in Lagos was N46.4 billion but see what Lagos got, N9.3 billion. Have you seen the injustice in the country? VAT collected in Kano was N2. 8billion and they gave them N2. 8billion. Is there any justice in this country?”

    Governor Wike described as morally offensive a situation where Rivers State government will award contracts for State roads worth N200 billion Naira and the FIRS will allegedly receive 7.5 percent of the amount as VAT to be distributed among the States.

    “So you allow me to call the big companies, award contracts to them, then you, FIRS, come and collect the tax and then go and distribute it to other states who are not awarding contracts. How does it sound.”

    The governor noted that nobody had been courageous to challenge the illegality perpetrated by FIRS and that history will be kind to Rivers State to have mustered the courage to speak out and also challenge it.

    According to Governor Wike, Nigeria is a constitutional democracy and not a military government where rule of law is grossly disregarded.

    “I overheard the FIRS chairman saying that I’ll soon know the power of the Federal Government. And that they’ll show me that they have the power to muzzle the judiciary. You can muzzle them as you want. Let the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court interpret the law so that all of us will go and rest.

    “Use all the power you want to use, but history will be written one day and those who will allow themselves to be used to muzzle and misinterpret the law will face God one day.”

    Governor Wike pointed out that it is not possible for all states to be at equal standing or be mechanically placed in position of performance without allowing them to exercise their rights within the condition.

    He advocated that the federating states should be allowed to explore their creative abilities in utilising the functions as provided in the constitution in order to grow.

    The governor added that “The powers have already been devolved in the constitution but the federal government does not allow us. All they want us to do is to come and beg and I say I will not beg. Give me what the law says I should get.”

  • Wike Orders Rivers Agency To Fully Enforce VAT Collection

    Wike Orders Rivers Agency To Fully Enforce VAT Collection

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the Rivers State Revenue Service (RSRS) to fully implement the State Value-Added Tax Law 2021 which he assented to recently.

    This follows the failure of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to stop the state government from collecting VAT, having filed an application at a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    “With today (Monday’s) judgement, the way is now clear for the administration and enforcement of the Rivers State Value-Added Tax Law 2021 across the entire state until otherwise decided and set aside by the superior courts,” the governor said in a statewide broadcast on Monday, hours after the court refused the suit by FIRS.

    “Consequently, I hereby direct the Rivers State Revenue Service (RSRS) to ensure the full and total implementation and enforcement of this law against all corporate bodies, business entities, and individuals with immediate effect.

    “Let me warn that the Rivers State government is fully in charge of the state and will not tolerate any further attempt by the FIRS to sabotage or undermine our authority to freely administer our tax and other related laws in our own state. Those who play with fire risk having their fingers burnt; enough of the shenanigans.”

    Governor Wike also directed all corporate bodies, business entities, and individuals in Rivers to willingly, truthfully and promptly comply with their tax obligations under the law.

    He warned that those who fail in such responsibilities risk sanctions, including having their business premises sealed up by the government.

    The governor assured residents that his administration would effectively use the expected proceeds from the collected tax to accelerate the development of the state and improve their well being.

    He explained that the enactment of the VAT law followed a recent judgement of the court that upheld the constitutional right and authority of state governments to impose, collect, and utilise VAT within their respective territorial jurisdictions.

    “As expected, the Federal Government, through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), disagreed and filed an appeal coupled with a request for stay-of-execution of the judgment before the Federal High Court.

    “While the appeal was pending and without any stay-of-execution of the subsisting judgement, the FIRS went about to bully corporate bodies and business entities from paying the VAT to the Rivers State government, even when they knew that an appeal does not serve as a stay, neither was there anything to stay in a declaratory judgement,” Governor Wike said.

    “As a mere agency of the Federal Government without any political authority, the effrontery and impunity exhibited by the FIRS against the Rivers State government were ill-advised and highly provocative.”

    He stated that the government had decided to suspend the enforcement of the VAT Law pending the outcome of the FIRS’s application for stay-of-execution.

    According to the governor, the state did no wrong in exercising its legal right under a constitutional democracy to stop the continuing breach, denial, and curtailment of the constitutional right of states to lawfully impose and collect value-added and other related taxes within their jurisdiction.

    He said the objective of such action was to contribute to the advancement of fiscal federalism by enabling the federating states to explore their potential and capacity for generating greater internal revenues.

    Governor Wike, however, admitted that some states with presently low economic activities and ethically restrictive social policies with economic implications may be adversely affected for now.

    “Above all, fiscal federalism remains the right path to economic self-reliance and sustainability for all our states and the benefits derivable from this case by all the states in the long run far outweigh the immediate revenue loss that some states may presently suffer,” he said.

    Prior to the governor’s broadcast, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam refused the application by FIRS, seeking to stop the Rivers State government from collecting VAT.

    He held that the revenue agency failed to file an application to set aside the tax law recently enacted by the Rivers State House of Assembly and signed by Governor Wike on August 19, therefore, the state law on VAT was valid and subsisting.

  • Gov Wike lifts curfew in Rivers after two months

    Gov Wike lifts curfew in Rivers after two months

    The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has lifted the two-month-old curfew imposed on the entire state in the wake of attacks on security operatives and formations in the state by unknown gunmen.

    The governor said the lifting of the curfew will take effect from Wednesday, July 7, 2021.

    Wike who disclosed this during a state broadcast on Tuesday reiterated that the state government acknowledges the negative impact of the curfew on business and the social-economic well-being of the state and its residents.

    Wike’s Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri relayed the broadcast in a statement titled, ‘Governor Wike lifts night curfew on Rivers State,’ released to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

    The governor said the relaxation of the curfew is sequel to the measurable improvements in the security situation in the state as well as in other neighbouring states.

    He explained that in imposing the curfew, the government’s primary concern and interest was and still remains the security of the state, and no sacrifice or price can be said to be too much for the preservation of lives and property.

    “We have decided to lift the existing curfew on the entire state from tomorrow 7th July 2021,” the statement said.

    While thanking the residents for their understanding and cooperation during the duration of the curfew, Wike urged them to remain security conscious and report any suspicious situation to the security agencies for action.

    “On our part, we will not fail to deploy every resource at our disposal to ensure the safety of lives and property while advancing the well-being of all residents.

    “This is the very reason we are clearing the state of shanties that have become veritable sanctuaries for criminals and criminal activities across the state. Clearly, our actions in this direction are not directed or targeted at any particular person, identity or group,” he added.

    He explained that the state government had in response to the security breaches and premeditated attacks and killing of security officers in some of the neighbouring states by gunmen, imposed a night-time curfew on the state’s land borders with other states on April 28, 2021.

    “Following the premeditated attack and killing of some security personnel in Abua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas by gunmen, we were forced to impose a statewide curfew from 10.00pm to 6.00am.

    “On the 11th of May 2021, the gunmen defied the existing curfew and carried out yet another murderous attack and killing of some security personnel in the state. This prompted the review of the statewide curfew from 7.00pm to 6.00am,” the statement explained.

    The governor commended residents of the state for their support, prayer and solidarity even as the government continues to work tirelessly to keep Rivers State safe and secure for all.

    Our correspondent recalled that on May 16, 2021, the curfew timeframe was readjusted to 8.30pm to 6.00am for Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas only, all of which has now been lifted across the 23 LGAs of the state.