News
VAT collection row: No going back on bill, Lagos insists, Adamawa backs Wike
The Akwa Ibom and Adamawa state governments on Tuesday aligned themselves with the move by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to stop the Federal Government from collecting Value Added Tax.
The Director-General, Media and Communications, Adamawa State Government, Solomon Kumangar, in an interview with one of our correspondents in Yola, the state capital, said that the collection of VAT by the states was the only way of reducing their dependence on federal allocations.
The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, on its part, said it would soon begin work on a bill that would enable the state to collect VAT.
Similarly, Lagos said it would go ahead with the VAT bill, which passed second reading in the state House of Assembly on Monday.
But the governments of Ekiti, Osun and Benue states said they were still studying the situation before making any move.
The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt in its judgment last month in a suit marked FHC/PH/CS/149/2020 held that the Rivers State Government had the powers to collect VAT within its territory.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service, on Monday, prayed the court to stay execution on the judgment.
But the presiding judge, Justice Stephem Pam, rejected the application, saying granting it would negate the principle of equity.
On Monday, the Lagos State Government toed the path of Rivers State as a bill to empower it to collect VAT scaled second reading in the state House of Assembly.
VAT is a consumption tax paid when goods are purchased and services are rendered. It is charged at a rate of 7.5 per cent.
On Tuesday, the Adamawa State Government told newsmen that the judgment was of interest to it.
Kumangar said the state government might seek to be joined in the Rivers State versus the FIRS VAT suit as an interested party.
He said Adamawa State, which is heavily reliant on federal allocations and overstretched by the impact of COVID-19 and post-insurgency recovery demands of rebuilding, saw the development in Rivers State as one of particular interest to it.
Adamawa State, according to him, welcomes the court ruling as another avenue for states struggling with financial problems to utilise, extend and improve their internally generated revenues.
Kumangar stated, “Anything to extend and improve on our IGR is welcomed. So, we are keen on joining the River State Government should the Federal Government appeal the judgment, which granted Rivers State the right to collect VAT in its domain.
“Whatever will bring improvement to the IGR is a welcome idea for an insurgency ravaged state like Adamawa. The truth is that the collection of VAT by the states is the only way to assist the states, which are heavily dependent on federal allocations, to be able to wean themselves and meet their financial obligations to the citizens. So, if there are areas where revenues can be exploited and extended, surely the state government will welcome it. Surely it’s a case of interest to us and we would like to be joined.”
The Chairman, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Aniefiok Akpan, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said the House would start working on the VAT bill as soon as possible.
He disclosed that a member had indicated interest in the bill and would soon introduce it on the floor of the House.
“We will start working on the bill. I don’t know whether it is going to be an executive bill or the House will initiate it. A member has indicated interest in bringing the bill,” Akpan stated.
The state governor, Udom Emmanuel, expressed disappointment that the government was not collecting VAT from oil companies operating in the state despite being home to one of the largest oil and gas reserves in the country.
Emmanuel expressed his disappointment when a team from the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, which was on a sensitisation tour of the state and led by a federal commissioner, Sunday Ayang, paid him a visit.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said the state would go ahead with its VAT bill.
Omotoso, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said the court had already dismissed the stay of execution application filed by the FIRS.
He stated, “The court said granting the FIRS prayer is like murder; they (FIRS) went to court to say that the court should stay the execution, while they appeal the judgment. The court’s position is that an appeal is not a stay of execution.
“I think Lagos has not got its own fair share of VAT. The state has always been at the forefront of the battle for true federalism. I think the verdict of the court, coming at this time, will strengthen the position of the Lagos State Government that Nigeria truly deserves true federalism as one of the pillars of our democracy. This is a consumption tax, there is no point staying action on it.”
The state House of Assembly had on Monday read for the first and second times the state’s Value Added Tax bill and asked the Committee on Finance to report back on Thursday.
But the Ekiti State Commissioner for Finance, Akintunde Oyebode, said the state government would take appropriate steps on VAT after the receipt of a legal opinion.
“We are seeking the opinion of the office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; when the office is done with a comprehensive legal opinion, it will guide our next step. That is where we are now,” Oyebode stated.
Similarly, the Benue State Commissioner for Finance, David Olofu, said the 36 states were still holding consultation on VAT collection.
He said the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi, had given the position of the states concerning VAT law that the governors would make their position known after the judicial process must have been exhausted.
The Osun State Government also said it would wait for the Supreme Court to decide on the issue.
The Chairman, Osun Internal Revenue Service, Mr Gbite Ademikanra, in a chat with one of our correspondents, stated, “Whatever happens to Rivers will affect Osun. What most of us will do is to wait for the Supreme Court’s pronouncement on the issue. Once the Supreme Court makes a pronouncement, it covers all sub-nationals.”
We’re studying judgment, says Bayelsa
But the Bayelsa State Government said it had constituted a team to study the judgment with a view to understanding its implications for the state and the right action to take afterwards.
The Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mr Ayibaina Duba, who stated this in a chat with one of our correspondents, said the state would come up with its position at the end of the exercise.
“We are trying to study the judgment and its implications for us. When we are done, we will come up with a position,” Duba stated.
‘Kogi not considering VAT collection’
The Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Ashiru Idris, said the state was not considering VAT collection.
The commissioner, who spoke to one of our correspondents on the telephone on Tuesday, stated, “We are not considering it as it is not our priority, because it will not add much to our internally generated revenue.”
PUNCH.
Son of the late head of state and former Minister of Defence, Chief Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, in a letter of remembrance and solidarity written on behalf of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family to the Fajuyi family, marking the 60th anniversary of his death, said July 29, 2026, will be a solemn occasion to honour a soldier they described as “a war hero who offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the unity and integrity of the nation.”
The family recalled that Lt Col Fajuyi, then Military Governor of the Western Region, made the ultimate sacrifice in 1966 when mutinous soldiers abducted him alongside Maj Gen Aguiyi-Ironsi in Ibadan during the military counter-coup.
They stated that Fajuyi, in a defining moment of conscience, chose honour over personal safety and refused to abandon his guest and superior, a decision the family said reflected the highest ideals of loyalty, integrity, and military brotherhood.
According to the statement, his action transformed him into a national martyr whose legacy continued to inspire unity, courage, and selfless service.
The Aguiyi-Ironsi family also expressed sympathy with the Fajuyi family, acknowledging the enduring pain of their loss, while praying for continued strength, comfort, and peace.
The statement further stated, “He did not run. He did not hide. He chose to stand. In that sacrificial decision lay the essence of his greatness.”
The family called on government institutions, military authorities, and custodians of national memory to ensure sustained recognition and support for the Fajuyi family, stressing that his sacrifice remained a national responsibility to remember and honour.
It urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from his life and death, noting that his legacy continues to challenge the nation to uphold unity, courage, honour, and selfless service.
Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, during the military counter-coup in Ibadan alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
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