Wike and Bauchi Gov’s Face-Off Deepens Division Within PDP

The ongoing feud between Nyesom Wike and Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed has intensified internal rifts within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), further straining party unity.

A proposed bill in Nigeria seeks to make it mandatory for individuals involved in banking, insurance, stockbroking, or other financial services to furnish a Tax Identification Number before they can open a new account or operate an existing one.

As stated in the bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Assessment, Collection of, and Accounting for Revenue Accruing to the Federation, Federal, States, and Local Governments; Prescribe the Powers and Functions of Tax Authorities, and For Related Matters,” this legislation intends to boost tax compliance while enhancing the country’s revenue collection process.

The document, sourced from the National Assembly and dated October 4, 2024, indicated that “anyone involved in banking, insurance, stock-broking or other financial services in Nigeria must require a tax ID as a prerequisite for opening a new account or maintaining an existing one.”

This requirement is part of a larger initiative to ensure that every individual and entity involved in financial activities is appropriately registered for tax purposes.

The bill further specifies that any non-resident individual providing taxable goods or services to anyone in Nigeria, or earning income from the country, is required to register for tax purposes and acquire a Tax ID.

Nevertheless, non-resident individuals who earn only passive income from their investments in Nigeria are not obligated to register. However, they must submit the necessary information as specified by the relevant tax authority.

The proposed legislation also authorizes the relevant tax authority to automatically register individuals who need a Tax ID but fail to apply, and issue one for them.

In these situations, the tax authority must quickly inform the individual about their registration and provide them with their tax ID.

Non-compliance with these requirements may lead to administrative penalties. As stated in the bill, if a taxable person does not register for tax, they will face a penalty of N50,000 during the first month of non-compliance and an additional N25,000 for each following month.

The ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, stemming from disputes in Rivers State and the clash between Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, and Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State, has led to a division within the party’s National Working Committee.

Ever since Umar Damagum assumed the position of acting National Chairman following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s removal by a court, he has encountered increasing criticism from within the party. This situation has resulted in growing demands for his resignation.

The situation intensified when Damagum and other members of the NWC, backing Wike, obtained approval for contentious PDP Congresses in Rivers State and rescheduled the National Executive Committee meeting from September 26 to October 24.

The ongoing conflict between Wike and the current Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, escalated on August 24 when PDP governors openly expressed their support for Fubara. They also called for a reassessment of the state congresses.

In response, on August 31, Wike threatened to disrupt activities in the governors’ states if they persisted in meddling with Rivers State affairs. However, on September 3, the PDP Governors’ Forum, headed by the Bauchi State governor, criticized Wike’s threats as irresponsible.

READ ALSO: PDP to Wike Amid Rivers Crisis: Fubara Is Our Hero, Take It to Court

In the local government elections held on October 5, Fubara was in charge, leading to a setback for Wike’s camp because 22 out of the 23 newly elected chairmen came from the Action Peoples Party.

In a surprising turn of events, Chinwe Nnorom, the National Director of Publicity for the party’s NWC, announced on Friday that both Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary, and Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), the National Legal Adviser, have been suspended.

On September 3, The PUNCH exclusively reported that Ologunagba and Ajibade (SAN) have been leading the NWC faction consistently opposing Damagum’s attempts to transfer control of the PDP to Wike, particularly concerning matters in Rivers State.

The statement partially read, “Following its 593rd meeting on Thursday, October 10, 2024, the National Working Committee of the Peoples’ Democratic Party has instructed both Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary and Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade SAN., the National Legal Adviser to step aside.”

Consequently, the NWC formed a committee led by H.E. Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Chairman (South), to investigate the allegations against the officers in accordance with the Party’s Constitution provisions.

Following the NWC’s decision, it instructed their respective deputies (DNPS and DNLA) to take on roles in an acting capacity starting Friday, October 11, 2014. This arrangement will remain until the Committee concludes its investigation. The officers involved are Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga Esq., as Acting National Publicity Secretary, and Barrister Okechukwu Osuoha as Acting National Legal Adviser.

A statement signed by Ologunagba on Friday shortly thereafter announced that the NWC had suspended both Damagum and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, due to alleged disloyalty to the PDP.

The NWC’s Ologunagba faction also named National Treasurer Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the acting National Chairman.

The statement partially stated, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has thoroughly reviewed numerous complaints against Acting National Chairman Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary Sen. Samuel Anyanwu. These concerns particularly pertain to the letter they sent to the Court of Appeal in case number CA/PH/307/2024, which contradicts the Party’s stance in a matter involving 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who left their seats after defecting from the PDP to join All Progressives Congress.”

The NWC criticized the actions of the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary as anti-party activities, deeming them to be in serious violation of both the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.

As a result, in accordance with Sections 57, 58, and 59 of the PDP Constitution, the NWC has suspended Amb. Illiya Damagum from his role as Acting National Chairman and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu from his position as National Secretary of the Party. They have been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.

After the suspension of His Excellency, Amb. Illiya Damagum from his role as the Acting National Chairman of our esteemed Peoples’ Democratic Party, the National Working Committee has approved Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed to serve as the new Acting National Chairman.

Wike instructed his supporters within the National Working Committee, led by Damagum, to suspend Ologunagba and Ajibade (SAN). This action was taken because they opposed his interests in Rivers State and hindered his influence over the party’s national structure.

An anonymous senior member of the NWC from Mohammed’s faction revealed that Ologunagba and Ajibade (SAN) were suspended not only because of the Rivers issue but also due to their ongoing criticism of Damagum’s handling of party funds.

According to the source, “The NWC has been experiencing division for some time now. This split primarily arose from a conflict between Wike and Fubara regarding the Rivers structure. However, it only became public knowledge after Thursday’s contentious NWC meeting.”

During a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Ibrahim Abdullahi, the acting National Publicity Secretary for the Damagum faction, also confirmed that Ajibade and Ologunagba’s suspension is connected to the crisis in Rivers.

Abdullahi clarified that the Damagum-led National Working Committee is adhering to Wike’s agenda and refuted claims of being financially motivated to suspend those individuals.

Abdullahi, delivering a statement endorsed by Anyanwu, clarified that Ajibade and Ologunba were suspended because of accusations concerning abuse of office, insubordination, and non-compliance with the NWC’s directives.

In response to the suspensions by both factions, the PDP Board of Trustees called on the factional members of the National Working Committee to reinstate their former situation.

PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, expressed in a statement on Friday that he urged the factional NWC to put aside their differences and reduce the tension.

Wabara emphasized that the Board of Trustees is entirely committed to promoting peace, unity, and progress within the PDP.