Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers says the state is not fighting the Federal Government or any of its agencies over the collection of Value Added Tax as being insinuated in some quarters.

Speaking on Sunday in Abuja at a public lecture entitled, “Taxing Powers in a Federal System”, to mark the 60th birthday of Mr Ahmed Raji, (SAN) Wike said that the state was only trying to pursue what was right and legitimate within the ambits of the constitution.

The governor, who represented by the Attorney-General of the State, Mr Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN), maintained that Rivers and the Federal Government were co-equal because they both derived their life from the constitution.

“I have heard a lot of comments being made that we are fighting the Federal Government, there is no desire or any intention of the Rivers government to fight the Federal Government.

“The principle of co-equality is fundamental to a federal arrangement, that principle leads to the principle of autonomy, autonomy leads to physical autonomy and physical autonomy leads to physical federalism and when you put all the principles together, what it means is that each level of government, whether federal or state is co-equal because none derives its life from the other.

“They both derive their life from the constitution because they have co-equality.

“That is the fundamental aspect of physical federalism and until we get it, we will continue this journey of talking without result but I think that the court has a role to play, the court can lay this crisis and controversy to rest when it makes a pronouncement.”

Also speaking at the event, Prof. Abiola Sani appealed to the judiciary to make a definite and definitive pronouncement on the impasse surrounding tax collection in Nigeria’s federal system.

Sani, a professor of commercial law who was the guest lecturer at the occasion called on the National Assembly to use the ongoing constitution amendment to bring out clear taxing powers among the three tiers of government.

Source: https://punchng.com/rivers-not-fighting-fg-over-vat-collection-wike/

Rivers wants to set the records straight

Hahahahaha

I like this guy, he always use the Psyche of his people at the right direction. Use the VAT propaganda and achieve your political goal

Wikebosky

Igbo will get mad at Wike for calculating moves but will never get mad at their own leaders for not even having nerve to go against Buhari.

I think the reason igbos are afraid of their leaders is, when they say something bad about them, they track them and kill them. Tinubu will never hurt a soul, he respect freedom unlike Peter Obi using sars to kill his enemies

Can he(Wike) in his right state of mind have the balls to fight Federal Government?

Ok

Incoming vp

Nigeria and politics are like siamese twins.
This is why I don't take our politicians seriously cus in the end they'll compromise just to achieve their personal interest.

In the end the VAT issue will finally be resolved through political solution.

This Rivers State is giving the federal government a sleepless night.

Abokîs parasitism

If every Southern State can be like this towards the FG, the Fulanis led FG will behave like humans not animals

Aufbauh:

Zombie

I don't know who deceitful pass btw politicians and devil

My governor even tho you fight FG for the right reasons. No wahala. We dey behind you

Wike! The Lion fear of FGN in the SS.

monumental failure, if you live in Rivers state you will agree with me

.

Physical federalism or did Punch mean Fiscal Federalism?

Which kind journalism be this?

The moderator is very foolish. I have seen important post that does not make front page for proper advise. He rather choice to post useless topic and celerity.

SlyDev:
Igbo will get mad at Wike for calculating moves but will never get mad at their own leaders for not even having nerve to go against Buhari.

I think the reason igbos are afraid of their leaders is, when they say something bad about them, they track them and kill them. Tinubu will never hurt a soul, he respect freedom unlike Peter Obi using sars to kill his enemies

Igbos will continue to hunt you day and night. What concerns igbo, tinub with this topic?

I don't know what is exactly wrong with some people in this country, others are talking about development.
Igbos are not you peoples problem, igbos are not why Nigeria remains in this bad sory state as they have not been in country of affairs of the Nation for the past 40 years.

mannasseh:
monumental failure Achiever, if you live in Rivers state you will agree with me

Now that's a better description of the man you mentioned...this is based on the fact that I transverse Rivers state regularly.

UselessBuharist:
If every Southern State can be like this towards the FG, the Fulanis led FG will behave like humans not animals

The betrayal and baren SE states don't have the balls to stand for anything.

fastseo:


Igbos will continue to hunt you day and night. What concerns igbo, tinub with this topic?

I don't know what is exactly wrong with some people in this country, others are talking about development.
Igbos are not you peoples problem, igbos are not why Nigeria remains in this bad sory state as they have not been in country of affairs of the Nation for the past 40 years.

Drugs
Kidnapping
Guns smuggle
Fake product
Arm robbery

Wike is right

OK

Coward

UselessBuharist:
If every Southern State can be like this towards the FG, the Fulanis led FG will behave like humans not animals

Nasty and unpatriotic comment. You 've forgotten the past and the coming presidents must have tribe where they must come from.