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Wike Tells Mark Panel Why He Wouldn’t Withdraw Cases Against Secondus

Wike Tells Mark Panel Why He Wouldn't Withdraw Cases Against Secondus

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said he will not withdraw the lawsuits against the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, because he does not trust the chairman to honour agreements.

It was gathered that Wike said this in a meeting with the Senator David Mark-led committee set up by the PDP National Executive Committee to resolve the party’s crisis.

The bid by Secondus to seek re-election and the determination of the Rivers State governor to stop him is reported to be the genesis of the crisis.

The Mark-led panel had met with Secondus and Wike with a proposal that they both withdraw pending lawsuits to pave the way for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.

While Secondus agreed to withdraw on the condition that the other party does the same, Wike insisted on going ahead with his.

The report submitted by the Mark-led committee quoted Wike as insisting that the “court cases instituted would not be withdrawn because of the lack of confidence in the other party to keep agreements”.

This was contained in the report submitted by the committee to the party’s NEC at its 93rd meeting in Abuja, on Thursday.

Excerpts of the report obtained by reporters revealed that both Wike and Secondus agreed that the Secondus-led NWC should serve out its term.

Wike, however, gave the condition that the chairman must commit not to remain in office beyond December 9, when his tenure officially ends.

It was also agreed that the national convention slated for October 30 and 31, 2021, be allowed to proceed without any of the parties taking any action or inaction capable of derailing it including litigation.

While the panel urged both parties to withdraw all pending litigation, Secondus was said to have agreed under the condition that Wike and his group do the same.

However, the report claimed Wike insisted on going ahead with the case in court because of his lack of confidence in Secondus honouring agreements.

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had granted an interim injunction restraining Secondus from parading himself as the national chairman.

As a result of the order, the PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Yemi Akinwonmi, assumed office as acting National Chairman.

His appointment was ratified by relevant organs of the party including the party caucus, Governors Forum and Board of Trustees.

A few days later, a Kebbi State High Court, granted an interim order asking Secondus to resume office and carry out his duties as national chairman immediately until the determination of the substantive suit.

Just as Secondus assumed office in honour of the order, a Cross River State High Court in Calabar, granted another restraining order barring him from performing the functions of the national chairman.

Amid these, the party’s NEC at its 92nd meeting set up an eight-member committee headed by a former Senate President, David Mark, to find a solution to the dispute.

After meeting with the parties involved in the dispute and reviewing the issues involved, it recommended, among other things, that “the party appoints a convention committee that should take over the responsibilities of organising the national convention as soon as possible; that the handing over after the convention could be delayed until December 9, 2021, to enable the current NWC to serve out its term; that those beating the drums of war behind the scene are urged to stop beating the drums; that the Governors Forum should point the way forward and that there is the need for the governors to continue to be united.

It had also been reported that a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt on Friday granted a perpetual injunction restraining Secondus from parading himself as national chairman.

Counsel to the PDP, Secondus and his legal team have filed an appeal against the initial restraining order, the outcome of which is still being awaited.

PDP better at resolving internal crisis than APC – Fintiri

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the PDP Convention Committee and Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, says his party has done better in the management of its internal crisis than the All Progressives Congress.

Fintiri said this on Saturday on his return to Yola from the National Executive Committee meeting of the PDP in Abuja, where was sworn in as the Chairman of the PDP Convention Committee.

He said Nigerians expected the PDP to field an intelligent and vibrant presidential candidate come 2023, adding his party would get its convention right.

Fintiri said, “The PDP has proven itself to be successful in dealing with crisis because of the ingenuity of the people in the party, having had experience in the past. It is the only party that has institutional capacity that is functioning and working. The National Working Committee is working; the Board of Trustees is working; the PDP Governors’ Forum is working; former governors, former ministers and elders of the party are giving their own advice, sharing and bringing their own experiences also on board. Collectively, we are succeeding because of this internal crisis management mechanism, which is functional and working,” he said.

Making a reference to the removal of Uche Secondus as the PDP National Chairman, Fintiri said, “No victor and no vanguished.

“From the way we have always been settling our crisis there has never been a winner. It has always been no victor, no vanguished. A win-win for all our members because we are equal and we respect ourselves.”

He, however, described the task before the convention committee as onerous,  “because Nigerians are looking to the PDP to give them an intelligent and vibrant president, under the party’s platform come 2023.”

Valentine Ozigbo: My Candidacy For Anambra Is Divine

Valentine Ozigbo: My Candidacy For Anambra Is Divine
Valentine Ozigbo

Valentine Ozigbo, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the November 6 Anambra governorship election, has described his candidacy as divine, following his re-listing by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Ozigbo spoke while addressing party faithful in Awka upon his return from Abuja, where the Court of Appeal ordered INEC to list him as the PDP candidate.

The PDP candidate had suffered a setback when his name was omitted in INEC’s candidates’ list released on July 16 because his rival, Ugochukwu Uba, was contesting the party’s ticket.

“We recorded several victories and the National Assembly Caucus of the PDP came together to pledge unanimous support for this project.

“Second, the entirety of the PDP governors announced that they are solidly supporting this cause and would provide all the necessary resources to ensure that we win this election.

“Also, INEC has published our name as the PDP candidate for the election after a period of uncertainty,” Ozigbo said.

He said that the campaign could now start in earnest, noting that the priority was to mobilise and convince people to vote for PDP and its candidate.

“This is a divine mandate, and with your support, we will emerge victorious in November,” Ozigbo said.

He commended his party leadership, including the governors, for inaugurating a 179-member National Campaign Council to execute the election.

According to him, “the PDP governors are members of the council and it is our election to win, and by God’s grace, we will march to the Government House. It is time for us to show Ndi Anambra the way to go.”

He said he had a first-hand experience of the decay of infrastructure in Anambra, with the terrible condition of the roads.

“There’s nothing to be proud of in Anambra. Roads are bad, healthcare is non-existent, education is moribund, security is at an all-time low, add this to the state’s debt profile, and you will agree that Anambra needs a total overhaul.

“If we don’t start now, we might never get it right. Our freedom must begin now. November 6 is our date with history, and we are ready to march to victory,” Ozigbo said.

Unknown Gunmen Kill Traditional Ruler In Anambra State

Unknown Gunmen Kill Traditional Ruler In Anambra State

Some unidentified gunmen have killed Edozieuno Anakpulu, a former Igwe of Mkpunado Aguleri in the Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra state.

The gunmen killed Igwe Alex Edozieuno Anakpulu on Friday.

According to eyewitness reports, Anakpulu was shot dead alongside his personal driver around Anyamelu area of the state.

The state Police command’s Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident, saying the Commissioner of Police, Tony Olofu, has ordered investigation on the matter.

The PPRO said, “The Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command , Tony Olofu, has led a team of police operatives to the scene of murder incident along Ikem Ivife Village by Ezu bridge, Otuocha, Anambra East.

“He described the incident as man’s inhumanity to man and ordered immediate investigation into the incident.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the victims, one Mr Alex Edozieuno, 62 years old, a former traditional ruler of Nkpunado Community Anambra East LGA and his driver Chukwuemeka (other names yet to be identified) were attacked by suspected gunmen by 10am along Ezu bridge, Otuocha.

“The exhibits recovered from the scene include; one Lexus 470 with plate reg No Aguleri-1 belonging to the victim and some expended ammunition.

“Meanwhile, the bodies have been deposited to the mortuary. Further development shall be communicated.”

The development comes amidst the rising insecurity and high profile assassinations in the Southeastern part of the country.

Recall that in May, Ahmed Gulak, a former Special Assistant on Politics to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was murdered in Owerri, the Imo State capital while trying to catch a flight at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Bala Elkana, Gulak did not inform the security agents of his movement despite knowing the worsening security issues in the country.

Also, the Managing Director of the Scientific Equipment Development Initiative, SEDI, Simon Ndubuisi was killed under similar circumstances in July this year.

He was killed along Enugu-Port Harcourt highway near the entrance of the Centenary Estate around Amech Awkunanaw in Enugu.

It was learnt that the gunmen also killed his police escort and abducted his daughter, who was in the car.

Professor Ndubuisi hailed fom Mgbowo in the Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Teslim Folarin: More Nigerians Have Been Killed Under Buhari

Teslim Folarin: More Nigerians Have Been Killed Under Buhari
Senator Teslim Folarin

More Nigerians have been killed by terrorists and organised criminals under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led regime than in previous governments, according to All Progressives Congress senator representing Oyo Central, Teslim Folarin.

“There are more out-of-school children than ever before. There are more deaths from the terrorist attacks and organised crimes than the previous years,” he said.

The APC senator was speaking on “The Challenges of Governance and Security in Nigeria” at the 2021 lecture of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association in Ibadan.

The Senate committee chairman on local content, Folarin, said daily media reports have shown that insecurity was rising in recent years.

“There are cases of avoidable clashes of herders and farmers over land as well as resources. There are agitations for political self-determination within the country. All these are facts but dangerously familiar,” Folarin said.

According to him, where there are security challenges to the progress of the electorates, public infrastructure and resources, “governance will be held hostage.”

He said good governance was about the fulfilment of greater good for all, with the promise of opportunities for Nigerians, and that “the political and intellectual classes have the duty to create as well as to secure the best of opportunities for youths.”

The senator was honoured with the university’s Distinguished Alumnus Award for his qualitative representation, outstanding performance, commitment to excellence and exceptional contributions to community development.

Cristiano Ronaldo To Start For Manchester United Against Newcastle

Cristiano Ronaldo To Start For Manchester United Against Newcastle

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Manchester United’s starting XI against Newcastle on Saturday – his first appearance for the club for 12 years.

Ronaldo, who re-signed for the Red Devils last month from Juventus, last appeared for the club on 27 May 2009 before joining Real Madrid for £80m.

The Portuguese, 36, scored 118 goals in 292 appearances in his first spell for Manchester United between 2003-09.

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo is wearing the number seven shirt.

Amaechi: NIMASA Has No Business Making Money For FG

Amaechi: NIMASA Has No Business Making Money For FG
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi

The Federal Government says the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) should not be expected to generate revenue for the government since its mandate was to act as a regulator of maritime safety and security.

The minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, in a statement by the ministry’s director of press and public relations, Eric Ojiekwe on Saturday, stated this at the final session of the 5-day National Council on Transportation summit in Kano state.

“People put NIMASA under pressure that they must make money; make money for what? NIMASA actually is a regulatory authority, not for them to go and look for money.

“The people that should be making money and they must hear it now is the Nigeria Ports Authority. It is their responsibility to make money.

“NIMASA should therefore focus on being a regulatory authority on issues of safety and security of our waterways,” Amaechi said at the summit.

The minister said the failure to convene the national council on transportation was due to Nigeria’s economic downturn and the advent of COVID-19, adding that decisions reached would be utilised by the Federal Government.

“Transportation is essential to sustainable development as it enables access to employment, business, education, health services and social interactions.

“The prosperity and wellbeing of developing and developed world are inseparably linked to transport. As such, President Muhammadu Buhari has made issues relating to transportation, one of the topmost priorities of his administration,” he said.

Peoples Gazette

APC National Chairmanship Race Picks Momentum As Congress Nears

APC National Chairmanship Race Picks Momentum As Congress Nears

As 2023 draws nearer, the scramble for the control of the structures of the ruling All Progressives Congress has started in earnest.

When three opposition political parties, namely the All Nigeria Peoples Party, Action Congress of Nigeria and the Congress for Progressive Change, as well as a fragment of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, came together to form the All Progressives Congress, little if anything, was heard about their power-sharing agreement.

Rather, party leaders were preoccupied with pursuing the main objective-to wrest power from the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party and form government. No sooner than the APC won the election in 2015, that the internal squabble for the control of the party structure started.

With the then Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), from the CPC assuming office as President, the ACN bloc produced the first National Chairman of the party in the person of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

Political intrigues marked Odigie-Oyegun’s tenure. Disagreements over the handling of the “rebellion” by some party members in the National Assembly which led to the election of Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively consumed him. Both Saraki and Dogara, through members of the APC, were not candidates of the ruling party then.

Odigie-Oyegun’s successor, who is also a member of the APC but from the ACN bloc, was Adams Oshiomhole. His tenure ran into troubled waters quite early.

From clashes with fellow members of the National Working Committee of the party to governors and ministers, Oshiomhole was always in the news. Recalling how the party fared under him, the Director-General of the Progressives Governors Forum, Dr. Salihu Lukman, explained that Oshiomhole’s leadership style was his greatest undoing.

“Under him, might was right. Absence of meetings of organs partly contributed to most of the disaffections in the party during his tenure. Members with alternative views were considered enemies and treated as such. This attitude was alien to the progressive democracy which the APC was and is still being built upon,” said Lukman.

The crisis of confidence in the party under Oshiomhole led to a series of court cases with different members of the NWC laying claim to the chairmanship seat within a space of 48 hours.

Many members of the party heaved a sigh of relief when on June 25, 2020, the President, Muhammadu Buhari, presided over a hurriedly-called National Executive Committee meeting of the party where the Oshiomhole-led NWC was dissolved.

Before then, the party was at the precipice following what then appeared to be an intractable leadership crisis. Several power blocs within the party voiced their opposition to the president’s stoic silence as the party almost descended into chaos. The president bent over backwards and intervened.

In his address during the NEC meeting which was held inside Aso Rock Buhari said, “The issues currently confronting our party at this time are such that should worry every party member.

“At the moment, our great party is faced with internal wrangling; there are on-going litigations amongst some party members and we cannot clearly ascertain the status of certain National Working Committee members.’’

Soon after the dissolution of the NWC, the 13-member Governor Mai-Mala Buni-led Caretaker/ Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee, was put together and given the mandate to reconcile aggrieved party members and organise a national convention to elect new national officers.

It’s been a little over a year now since the Buni-led CENCPC took the initiative and embarked on a membership registration and revalidation exercise to pave the way for congresses that would lead to a national convention where new members of NWC are expected to be elected. The congresses which have since commenced have not been without challenges.

There have been reported cases of parallel congresses in Kwara, Ogun, Osun, Lagos, Enugu states among others. Those interested in party positions at the national level are not leaving anything to chance.

“They’ve learnt a thing or two from Oshiomhole’s downfall and now pay greater attention to the grassroots,” said Umaru Dantani, a party chieftain from Kano State.

In an interview with reporters, an Enugu State chieftain of the party, Osita Okechukwu, said, “the acrimony we are witnessing with our congresses today is simply a battle for control ahead of 2023.

“Desperate individuals who for some personal or myopic group interests are seeking to circumvent the laid down tenets of internal democracy in order to have their way.”

The race for the National Chairmanship seat of the party has unofficially commenced. Several northern leaders of the party have started consultations ahead of the national convention.

It is believed that the position will be zoned to the North because of a gentleman’s agreement for the Presidency to go to the South after Buhari’s second and final four-year term in 2023.

Some names being mentioned include: former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari; a former FCT Chairman of the defunct ACN, Sunny Moniedafe, a former two-term governor of Borno State and three term-term Senator, Ali Modu Sheriff, a former Nasarawa State governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura; a serving Niger State lawmaker, Senator Sani Musa, and former Benue State Governor and now Minister for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, George Akume.

Although the aspirants are waiting for the party to release its zoning formula before making a formal declaration, most of the aspirants have started subtle campaigns.

Tanko Al-Almakura

Until his election into the Senate to represent Nasarawa South, Al-Makura was a two-term Governor of Nasarawa State.

His successor, Governor Abdullahi Sule, has on more than one occasion told everyone who cared to listen that Al-Makura deserves to be considered for the position.

He argued that the CPC bloc has remained the only bloc yet to produce a national chairman since the APC was formed, arguing that it was only fair that this narrative be changed.

Confirming his involvement in the campaign for Al-Makura’s election, Sule told reporters, “I have gone to the stage of making consultations, speaking with the right people who are supposed to be part of this; speaking with all the decision makers. I have spoken with the highest authority of the party, especially my colleagues, the governors. Some of them who went to Abuja will tell you I had a meeting with them, and it was all connected to that. I have been trying everything to ensure that we plead for this position to come to Nasarawa State.”

Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff

He was elected a Senator in Borno State at the start of the Fourth Republic in 1999 on the ticket of the defunct All Peoples Party. In 2003, he defeated the then sitting governor, Mala Kachalla, during the party primaries, after which he went on to win the governorship race when the party became the All Nigerian Peoples Party.

After serving two terms of four years each, he fell out with his successor, Kashim Shettima, who was elected governor after the Sheriff’s alleged preferred candidate was assassinated by Boko Haram terrorists.

Sheriff was later invited by power brokers to become the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party after the party lost the 2015 elections.

He led one faction of the party while a former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi, led the other until the Supreme Court intervened and recognised Makarfi as the authentic Chairman. Sheriff returned to the APC in April 2018.

A former political adviser to ex-Governor Kashim Shettima, Mustapha Gambo, who is one of those mobilising support for Modu-Sheriffk, said, “The APC needs a stabilising force and with due respect to all those reported to be nursing ambition to vie for the chairmanship of our party, none of them comes close to what Senator Ali Modu Sheriff  brings to be table.”

Abdullaziz Yari

Abdullaziz Yari, a former two-term Governor of Zamfara State and one time Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, has expressed his desire to run for the position if it is zoned to the North-West where he hails from.

Although many argued that it would be unfair to other parts of the north for the North-West to produce the next national chairman owing to the fact that the zone currently occupies the presidential slot, Yari has insisted that competence should be the yardstick ahead other consideration.

Sunny Moniedafe

Sunny Moniedafe, a former FCT Chairman of the defunct ACN, has declared his intention to vie for the office of Chairman of the APC. Moniedafe, whose parents are from Delta State, was born and raised in Adamawa State. He has described himself as the best man for the job. He explained that his candidature will unify the party because he neither plays ethnic nor religious politics.

He told reporters, “I’m vying for the office of National Chairman of the APC because I want to give the party a new sense of direction.

“I have no godfather and I am no pushover. I will contest if it is zoned to the North-East. If it is not zoned to us, I will contest any position zoned to us because I want to serve.”

Senator George Akume

George Akume, the current Minister for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, was a two-term Governor of Benue State and had served as a Senate Minority Leader prior to his appointment as minister by the President .

His supporters recently set up a campaign office in Abuja with plans to hold a formal rally in his home state for him to make a formal declaration.

One of his supporters who craved anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media said, “Arrangements have reached an advanced stage, our candidate will soon make a formal declaration.

“He has been a Governor, a federal lawmaker and now minister, he can relate with all the power blocs easily because he has been there.”

A chieftain of the party, Abdullahi Jalo, is of the opinion that, “The kind of National Chairman we need now is one who can unite the party, he must have grassroots appeal and command the respect of all members.”

How well the party is able to manage the fallout of its ongoing congresses will impact heavily on the job schedule of whoever eventually wins the contest.

The PUNCH

VAT: Wike Inaugurates New Tax Commission Despite Court Ruling

VAT: Wike Inaugurates New Tax Commission Despite Court Ruling

Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Friday inaugurated the state’s Tax Appeal Commission shortly after the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal ordered maintenance of status quo in the collection of value added tax by state governments.

The commission inaugurated by Wike is saddled with the responsibility to ensure taxable persons and entities comply with the rules of the newly introduced Rivers VAT law.

Wike had on August 19 signed the VAT Bill into law following the judgement of the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court on the illegality of VAT collection by the federal government via the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS.

At the inauguration ceremony in Port Harcourt, Wike urged the commission to “focus on dealing with complaints arising from those who do not want to pay their taxes, while also prevailing on those who believe that the tax body is doing what it is not supposed to do.”

“It is a very serious assignment at this period as regards to what is going on. So, I believe that you have to take this assignment as a call of duty from your state,” the Governor explained. “No country can survive without taxes. And so, you will do all you can to support the government and the citizens to do what they are supposed to do,”

The Governor’s remarks were contained in a statement by available to reporters by his spokesman, Kelvin Ebiri, on Friday.

The Governor, however, expressed confidence in the Chairman of the commission to effectively carried out the assignment.

It was learnt that members of the tax appeal commission sworn in are: Bennett Eke Ugbari (Chairman), Edwin Krukrubo, Owhonda Ihekwoaba Nobel, and Gift Sovins.

In his response, Ugbari, a retired judge, agreed with the governor that the state needs to generate enough internal revenues to augment the statutory allocations it receives from the federal government.

He noted that the newly introduced VAT will enable the governor to fulfill his promises to Rivers people in terms of infrastructure and other development.

“It is, therefore, the intendment of the commission to partner with other relevant tax authorities in Rivers State to generate adequate internal revenue for the State,” Ebiri quoted Ugbari to have said.

Meanwhile, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, on Friday, however, ordered that Rivers State and the FIRS maintain status quo ante bellum, pending the determination of a suit filed by the latter concerning the Rivers court judgement.

Like FIRS, many northern states like Katsina, Gombe and Kogi have registered their protests against the move by Rivers and Lagos to begin independent collection of VAT. Adamawa State government however says it was ready to explore the new VAT reform.

Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had also signed the state’s VAT Bill into law on Friday following the speedy passage by the State Assembly. The state is also seeking to be joined in the FIRS’ suit at the appellate court.

Earlier, the FIRS had urged taxpayers to discountenance the High Court ruling in Port Harcourt.

In another desperate move, the federal tax body wrote to the National Assembly, seeking amendment of the Constitution to exclusively grant it the rights to collect consumption taxes, among others, across the country.

Jonathan: Nigeria Cannot Know Peace Without Justice, Security

Jonathan: Nigeria Cannot Know Peace Without Justice, Security
Former President Goodluck Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says Nigeria cannot attain peace in isolation of the pursuit of justice and other human security needs.

Jonathan stated this on Friday in Abuja at the public presentation of a research report entitled ‘Terrorism and Banditry: The Nexus’, conducted by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF).

Jonathan, who doubles as Chairman of the foundation, said the challenges posed by banditry, terrorism and other crimes were a threat to Nigeria’s democracy and nationhood.

“Our pursuit of peace cannot be achieved in isolation of the pursuit of justice and other human security needs.

“This is so because peace is the bridge that links poverty to prosperity, reconciles hope with despair and imposes order on chaos.

“There is no doubt that our nation is plagued by many crises and these challenges have continued to threaten our fate and shared destinies.

“We have lost our loved ones, lost millions of properties and investments because of insecurity.

“The challenges posed by banditry, terrorism and other associated crimes threaten our human essence and the essential values of our democracy and nationhood.

“This is why the GJF considered it apt to undertake this research to engage the relevant stakeholders towards an improved security,” he said.

The former President said the crisis facing Nigeria today required sacrifice and urgency of actions from all stakeholders who must “show commitment to peace.”

Ortom: We’ll Await Supreme Court Decision On VAT

Ortom: We'll Await Supreme Court Decision On VAT
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has shown his support for his counterparts in Lagos and Rivers states amid moves to make the collection of Value-Added Tax (VAT) exclusive to states.

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, signed into law the bill on Value Added Tax (VAT) collection in the state.

This was days after a Federal High Court issued an order restraining the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) from collecting the tax in the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State followed suit on Friday.

However, the court of appeal in Abuja ordered both Rivers and Lagos states to maintain status quo over the collection of VAT, pending the determination of an appeal filed by the FIRS.

Ortom, who spoke with journalists on Friday, said although he supports Wike and Sanwo-Olu, he would embrace the decision of the court on VAT collection no matter the outcome.

Ortom said he had already directed the Benue State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to study the law and tell him its implications.

“I don’t think there is anything wrong in embracing the law as long as it conforms with the constitution, whether it affects states positively or negatively. I support the Governors of Rivers and Lagos states for what they are doing.

“Anything that is in tandem with the rule of law I will accept, but if anyone thinks otherwise, the best thing to do is to go to court. I heard they are in court, and if the case is decided otherwise by the Supreme Court, we will accept it,” the Governor said.