News
Reps probe tax law tweaks, PDP demands suspension
This was as the Peoples Democratic Party demanded that the Federal Government further shift forward by six months the January 1, 2026 take-off of the new tax law.
The opposition party said the shift became important following an alleged illegal alteration made to the law passed by the National Assembly.
The PDP added that the six-month shift would allow for “sufficient enlightenment campaigns on the new Act.”
President Bola Tinubu recently signed four major tax reform bills into law, marking what the government has described as the most significant overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system in decades.
The laws include the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, all operating under a single authority, the Nigeria Revenue Service.
The reforms are designed to simplify tax compliance, expand the tax base, eliminate overlapping taxes and modernise revenue collection across federal, state and local governments.
The laws are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, following a six-month transition period for public education and system alignment.
However, the reforms have continued to attract mixed reactions nationwide.
On Wednesay, a PDP lawmaker from Sokoto State, Abdussamad Dasuki, drew the attention of the House of Representatives to alleged discrepancies in the tax reforms passed by the National Assembly and the copy gazetted by the Federal Government.
Dasuki warned that if not addressed, the alterations would render the new tax laws legally vulnerable as they lack legislative approval.
At the resumption of plenary on Thursday, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, underscored the seriousness of the allegations by announcing a seven-man ad hoc committee to investigate the claims and submit a report to the House for further legislative action.
He said, “On the revised tax laws, the House leadership has unanimously agreed that a committee should be set up immediately to look into the matters that were raised and many others. In that respect, I’m happy to announce to you that the following members have been appointed to the committee. They are Mukhtar Betara as Chairman, Idris Wase, James Faleke, Sada Soli, Igariwey Iduma, Fredrick Agbedi and Babajimi Benson.”
At Wednesday’s plenary, Dasuki had called on the House to revisit the gazetted version of the law and compare to what the National Assembly passed.
“I plead that all the documents should be brought before the Committee of the Whole so that we can make the relevant amendments.
“This is a breach of the Constitution and our laws, and this should not be taken by this Honorable House,” he added.
In response to the allegation, the PDP, on Thursday, commended Dasuki “for his fastidiousness and courage in the discharge of his legislative duties.”
It demanded “that the commencement date of the Tax Act be shifted from January 1, 2026, for at least six months to allow sufficient time for the investigation of this anomaly.”
The PDP warned that the disparity must be comprehensively investigated “and not treated with the customary levity this administration has shown towards serious issues of governance.
“This criminal act of inserting unenacted sections into laws can erode public trust in parliamentary enactments. Nigerians deserve assurance that the laws they obey are those validly passed by their elected representatives, not provisions foreign to lawmakers,” the PDP said.
The PDP’s call comes a date after the National Opposition Movement, on Wednesdaym demanded the immediate suspension of the tax plan’s implementation, warning that forcing it through would worsen the living conditions of Nigerians.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, the NOM spokesperson, Chille Igbawua, said Nigerians were already struggling with poverty, unemployment and rising living costs, insisting the new tax regime would be punitive.
The NOM, a coalition of citizens drawn from various opposition parties, said it monitors policies affecting Nigeria’s security, economy and overall prosperity under the Tinubu administration, while advocating national liberation and transformation.
Igbawua described the planned implementation as “shocking” and “punitive,” arguing that Nigerians are already struggling to meet basic needs.
“This new tax plan must not take off now. Its implementation must be suspended immediately. This is not tax reform; it is a weapon fashioned against the economic well-being and social security of suffering Nigerians,” he said.
“You cannot tax hunger. You cannot tax poverty. And you cannot tax people into prosperity. Since coming to office, President Tinubu has shown that his priorities are not with ordinary Nigerians but with a few oligarchs tied to his economic and political interests.”
But the Federal Government, on Thursday, pushed back, alleging that some individuals were attempting to undermine the success of ongoing tax reforms, insisting that the policies are pro-poor and aimed at recalibrating national revenue generation.
The Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua, made the allegation on Thursday during the inauguration of a Joint Committee of the National Orientation Agency and the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms in Abuja.
“We must state clearly that this is a pro-poor policy — one designed to recalibrate the revenue of this country in a way that ensures the poorest Nigerians are not harmed, except positively,” Fasua said.
He stressed that the reforms were not intended to increase the tax burden on citizens or small businesses, citing the partial opening of the Brass–Nembe Road as an example of infrastructure development made possible through improved revenue mobilisation.
“Recently, the Brass–Nembe Road was partially opened. That is the kind of progress we can expect when revenue and tax systems work better. We will also continue to draw lessons from how other countries have implemented similar reforms,” Fasua added.
The Abia State’s “Senior man” is leg-deep into a messy murky-water fight with the SEDC, I learnt. The crux of the squabble is saddening.
While Senator Orji Uzor Kalu wants a huge bite from a crumb-pie federal allocation the SEDC barely gets to fund its activities, the commission’s management is refusing to open its vault. For this, a fatal crisis brews.
I dug deeply to uncover the hidden cracks, which neither Orji Uzor Kalu nor the SEDC wants visible to the public.
A Thread.
When the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the 10-Man Senate Committee to oversee the activities of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and made Orji Uzor Kalu its Chairman, many South Easterners, like myself, were underwhelmed.
“How can a man who was once convicted of funds embezzlement and wanton corruption lead a committee that will conduct a transparent oversight function on the SEDC?” I questioned. The logic was vague.
Today, those silent doubts have been proven valid. The Abia state “senior man” in kleptocracy is showing off his true colours and they read red for the SEDC, the region’s “child” development initiative that should rather enjoy the support of every stakeholder from the region.
Before we get into unraveling the ridiculous “settlement” demands of OUK and the impending showdown, let’s take a look at the SEDC’s activities so far.
On February 12th, 2025, the SEDC Management Team, Governing Board, and Senate Committee were inaugurated. Tinubu’s government announced a N140 billion yearly allocation for the commission and directed its Management to draft its budget around the figure.
The Commission did as directed, drafted a N120 billion budget. But for its vision for the South East development, it included more critical infrastructures in the budget. This shot the budget to N250 billion.
In its revenue mapping, it factored in raising the N110 billion shortfall internally – all by itself. This didn’t pose a problem. The government approved the budget. Allocations will come in monthly, in a tranche of N10 billion each month.
Unsurprisingly, the Commission didn’t get any budgetary allocation throughout 2025. In these months of financial drought and zero cash inflow, everywhere was quiet. Senator Orji Uzor and his committee members didn’t see a need to exercise oversight on the Commission’s activities.
But in December 2025, the government released a N5 billion take-off grant to the Commission. For context, a take-off grant is a mobilization fund. The commission is expected to use it to acquire and renovate office spaces, pay salary arrears for its staff, and cover other expenses it may have incurred throughout its 9 months of takeoff.
As soon as the funds arrived, the bees gathered to perch on the honeycomb. But with the honey sealed, the parasitic bees are piping to sting on the host with such a rude sense of entitlement. This is the crux of the matter.
I learnt the SEDC Management had yet to map out the expenditure for the takeoff grant when the “arrogant racketeers” came banging at the door for a fat share, with their greedy potbellies. I tried to obtain details but the SEDC declined. I assume they fear Orji Uzor Kalu’s brutish wrath.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and his fellows want about 35% cut from the N5 billion takeoff grant, and also for subsequent allocations that the commission gets. How much more ridiculous can it get?
On what grounds does the so-called Senate Committee demand about 35% of the takeoff grant and subsequent allocations? Is the SEDC their private ventures? How more gluttonous can their kleptocratic deep pockets be?
The SEDC Management declined. And it is sticking with its “no” with vehement insistence. This set the tone for the fight which has now spiraled to a destructive dimension. In fact, it threatens the existence of the commission.
This year, the Commission has only received N1.8 billion twice, in January and February. The rest of the months so far, it has gone without allocation. I learnt that the Venture Capital Competition it recently hosted, which funded 25 startups and existing businesses from South Easterners, was financed largely by private investors – which the commissioned sourced.
Yet, Orji Uzor Kalu and fellow money-mongers want a bite from the fragmented pie.
Recall that earlier in February this year, the Senate Committee, through Senator OUK, issued a “stern warning” to the commission over “the management of N250 billion takeoff grant.” It was because the Commission refused to hand them about 35% cut from the N5 billion. They lied that it was N250 billion.
Is the Senate Committee backing down yet? Never. They have summoned the Commission to appear before them on June 9th, tomorrow. They cannot understand stubborn Will and resolve of the SEDC Management Team to resist their insidious interference and mute their atrocious kleptocratic taste.
They now want to carry out a comprehensive probe into the SEDC activities. The Commission must provide details of all projects, programmes, interventions, and contracts it has executed so far, including their locations, costs, procurement processes, and implementation status.
Wouldn’t this have earned a reputable applause had the Senate Committee not been driven by a heinous greed and sought to choke a Southeast’s only Development Initiative to termination?
Isn’t it time for the leaders and stakeholders from the South East to stand up to Orji Uzor Kalu and his colleagues in the SEDC Senate Committee to quit this scandalous meddlesomeness and allow the Commission to do its job?
Beyond the oversight function of monitoring and probing the activities of the Commission to ensure that it runs efficiently and effectively, and that it is transparent and accountable in all its dealings, the Senate Committee has no other business but to focus on its lawmaking duties. It should remain at this!
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The Anambra State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the state government to suspend further salary deductions affecting workers pending the conclusion of investigations by a committee set up to address the issue.
For the past three months, workers in the state have complained about unexplained deductions from their monthly salaries, describing the development as unacceptable. Many affected workers insist that even those who report to work regularly and punctually have had portions of their salaries deducted.
Some workers have accused the state government of implementing punitive measures linked to the prolonged Monday sit-at-home order previously enforced by the separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which kept many workers away from their duties for several years.
Speaking with journalists, the Anambra State NLC Chairman, Comrade Humphrey Nwafor, disclosed that the issue was raised during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration, prompting Governor Charles Soludo to establish a committee to investigate the allegations.
According to Nwafor, the committee comprises the NLC Chairman, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, the Commissioner for Finance, and the Head of Service.
He explained that during the committee’s meeting last week, members resolved that salary deductions should be suspended pending the submission of the committee’s final report. The responsibility of addressing the issue in the interim was assigned to the Commissioner for Finance and the Head of Service.
“We met last week and resolved that those deductions should be put on hold for now while the Commissioner for Finance and the Head of Service manage the situation. Organized Labour has agreed to stay action while the government looks into the matter,” Nwafor said.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Head of Service, Barrister Ngozi Anuli-Iwuono, were unsuccessful. When contacted, she expressed frustration over frequent calls from journalists and declined to comment on the matter.
This reporter had earlier contacted her on Monday, when she explained that she was attending an Executive Council meeting and could not immediately respond. However, when contacted again on Tuesday, June 9, at about 1:25 p.m., she stated that she was in another meeting.
“I am in another meeting. Why are journalists calling me every time? Last time it was Tribune, today it is Telegraph. Please, you people should stop calling me,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, assured workers that the matter was receiving attention and revealed that some affected employees had already started receiving the balance of their deducted salaries.
Mefor explained that most of the affected workers were stationed outside the state headquarters. He noted that the Ministry of Finance relies on attendance records submitted by various departments and unit heads to determine salary payments.
“It is based on the information available to the Ministry of Finance regarding those who reported for duty through the attendance clock-in system. This issue mainly affects workers in outstations and not those at the headquarters,” he said.
“People have started receiving their full salaries, and many of those who failed to clock in were affected. This is already being verified.”
Using the Ministry of Information as an example, Mefor said the ministry has about 185 workers, the majority of whom serve as Information Officers across local government areas. He added that evidence of their attendance was submitted to the Ministry of Finance to facilitate payment.
“Here in the Ministry of Information, we have about 185 workers, most of whom are posted to local government areas. We provided evidence of their attendance to the Ministry of Finance, and necessary adjustments are being made,” he stated.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the death of three persons following the derailment of the Warri-Itakpe train in Agbor, Delta State.
The corporation disclosed that four coaches left the rail track during the incident, which occurred on Monday, June 8, 2026.
In a statement, the Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, said emergency response teams and other relevant authorities were immediately mobilised to the scene to manage the situation and provide assistance to affected passengers.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed a serious train accident involving the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor at Agbor, Delta State,” the statement said.
According to Opeifa, rescue and emergency response operations were activated immediately after the accident, and all passengers on board have since been accounted for.
“Sadly, three fatalities have been confirmed at this time,” he stated.
He added that relevant authorities are continuing to assess the full circumstances surrounding the incident, while support is being provided to injured and affected passengers.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and loved ones during this difficult time,” Opeifa said.
The NRC urged members of the public to rely only on verified information and official updates from the corporation as investigations into the cause of the derailment continue.
A newly married Nigerian woman who was recently declared missing by her family in Abuja has reportedly left her matrimonial home after discovering that her husband allegedly had two children with different women.
The woman, from Mbabum Community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, had been the subject of a public appeal by her family, who sought assistance in locating her after she allegedly left her husband’s residence in Abuja.
According to a statement attributed to a family representative, Hon. Goshi Peter, the woman married Goshi Bem in March 2026 but left her matrimonial home about two weeks ago and had not returned.
However, in an update shared on Saturday, June 6, 2026, a Facebook user, Tyom Alexander, claimed she had spoken with the woman by phone.
According to Alexander, the woman said she left her husband’s home after discovering that he had two children from different women, information she alleged was not disclosed to her before their marriage.
“I have been able to speak with this woman through the phone number provided by the whistleblower,” Alexander wrote.
“She said her husband didn’t tell her that he had children before their marriage. She only discovered this after they relocated to Abuja.
“The first child is five years old, while the second child is two years old, both from different mothers.”
Alexander further claimed that the woman stated she was safe and still in Abuja, and reportedly warned her husband not to bother searching for her.
“According to her, the man should not bother looking for her as she is doing fine in Abuja,” Alexander added.
“If this is true, then the man has disappointed me. I wait to hear the man’s side of the story.”
As of the time of filing this report, the husband’s response to the allegations had not been made public.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The fate of Nigerian roads especially the highways appears to be under threat of this year’s rainy season following fears by professionals that the over 200,000 kilometers of roads may collapse by the end of the year .
Deepening this apprehension is the lack of maintenance of those roads which have yearly carried loafs above it’s capacity occasioned by heavy duty trucks and tankers .
Expressing these fears , Consultant Engineer to the Federal government Patience Aningo noted that if urgent steps are not taken this year’s rainy season would spell doom for motorists and other road users across the country.
“Without consistent enforcement of axle load limits, and steady maintenance of our federal highways there strong indications that the country is at the risk of loosing over 200,000 kilometers of roads ”
“Roads require precision from proper compaction to correct layer thickness”
“By then, what could have been addressed with minor engineering challenges would become a huge cost of maintenance”
“The frustrations lies a deeper issue and the persistent failure of roads that should last far longer is compromised by laxity on the part of the authorities concerned”
“The outcomes are sometimes undermined by weak supervision, inconsistent material quality, and cost”
She observed that poor drainage system has also been the bane of the Federal roads in the country.
“Nigeria has one of the largest road networks in Africa estimated at over 200,000 kilometers yet a
One major factor is inadequate drainage”
“Roads are not just paved surfaces; they are engineered drainage
systems, sealing cracks, and timely patching remains underutilized, despite its proven
underlying soil, and accelerates structural deterioration”
“In a country with intense seasonal rainfall, neglecting drainage is one
of the fastest ways to shorten a road’s lifespan.’
“Regulations must be enforced consistently to protect infrastructure investments”
“Similarly, the Abuja–Kaduna Highway remains a critical but vulnerable route, where
pavement distress and operational challenges continue to highlight the strain placed on key compromise
during construction directly reduces durability and increases long-term costs”
“Drainage must be treated as a core design element, not an afterthought which affects Axle load against
what they were originally designed for”
“Heavy-duty trucks often overloaded introduce stresses that affect the roads ”
“Many Nigerian roads now carry traffic volumes and axle loads far beyond routes in the country
and despite ongoing reconstruction efforts, sections have deteriorated quickly ”
“When water is not properly managed, it penetrates the pavement layers, weakens the
This pattern is evident on major corridors such as the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, one of the busiest in the country “she stated.
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