Politics
Tinubu’s Tax reform bills: Reps deny govs threatening lawmakers
Less than a week after reports emerged of governors threatening to deny federal lawmakers tickets to vie for National Assembly seats in the 2027 general elections for supporting the Tax Reform Bills, some of the lawmakers have denied the claim.
On Monday, November 18, 2024, the Deputy Spokesman for the House of Representatives, Mr Philip Agbese, said some governors were threatening to deny federal lawmakers return tickets if they did not withdraw support for President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills now before the National Assembly for consideration.
The President had transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms headed by Taiwo Oyedele for the review of existing tax laws.
They include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.
Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.
Reacting to the tax reform proposals, governors of the 19 northern states on October 29, 2024, rejected the proposed shift to a derivation-based model for Value Added Tax distribution, arguing that the model would put the region in a disadvantaged position compared with its southern counterpart.
A few days later, the 36 state governors rejected the bills and asked for their withdrawal to allow room for more consultation.
Agbese, while speaking to Sunday PUNCH on Friday, said the threat against lawmakers was real.
“This has become more than a threat,” he added.
But his colleagues, in separate interviews with Sunday PUNCH, said governors were becoming advocates of the reform bills.
The member representing Ehime Mbano/Ihitte/Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State, Chike Okafor, said, “I am not aware of some governors threatening to deny their lawmakers return tickets if they support the tax bills. I am from Imo State and a member of the All Progressives Congress, the same party as my governor. I work closely with him. I can confirm that he hasn’t asked us the lawmakers from Imo State not to support the tax bills.
“Don’t forget that he was a consummate lawmaker, having served two unbroken terms in the Senate. Again, don’t forget that he’s the Chairman of the Progressive Governor’s Forum.”
Also, the lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Babajimi Benson, said governors who were likely to oppose the proposed reforms were those who had not taken time to go through their contents.
“If any governor that has read this bill decides to deny a lawmaker his or her return ticket, it means the governor has not read the bill extensively. But I believe most governors have read the bill and are now in full support of it. I am in full support of this bill because it’s a game-changer and progressive. It redistributes wealth, and leaves no state behind,” Babajimi said.
On his part, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and lawmaker from Niger State, Joshua Gana, played down any threat from state governors, adding that God determines who becomes a leader at any point in time.
“God Almighty raises men into leadership positions in every nation. There’s no threat to any lawmaker on the 2027 ticket to return elected. We are the people’s representatives who will only do what is in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians,” Gana said.
Similarly, a member of the Labour Party from Abia State, Alex Ikwechegh, doubted the possibility of any governor opposed to the bills.
Meanwhile, the APC and the Labour Party have expressed divergent views on the bills.
The National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, argued that rather than killing the bills, the National Assembly should subject them to further consultations.
The APC spokesman also frowned on the alleged threats and blackmail against the lawmakers, saying such a thing should not be entertained in a democracy.
He said, “Blackmail is not allowed in the constitution neither is it allowed in particularly the type of democracy we are practising in Nigeria. I think what all sides need to do is to engage the instrument of lobby. If you have a mission that you want to scale through, you need to lobby.
“Lobby until you can win the confidence and conviction of the people that are going to deliberate on the issue. So, this tax issue needs to be looked into through wider consultation. All sides need to consult widely. There is a lot of misgivings about it and mischief is also coming in.
“We don’t want the issue to be looked at with an ulterior motive or something that is done to change one part of the country or the other. Let us look at it with a patriotic mind and subject it to proper and additional scrutiny through experts who know what the whole thing is all about. We can then engage the instrument of lobby.”
But the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, wondered why the Tinubu’s administration had been plagued by the ideas of taxation and loans since it was inaugurated on May 29, 2023.
“The only thing I want to say is that there is so much tax being introduced by this government making them look like a government that rules by tax. While they are busy taxing people, they are equally borrowing. Now, the question is, where are all these monies going? Nigerians have yet to feel the benefit.
“It’s not about taxes or how to share the proceeds. It’s about the proper allocations of what has been accrued from the taxes. If you are getting the money and projecting it into making the economy stable and putting food on the tables, that will be fine. But as I’m talking to you, they are still busy discussing when to pay the N70,000 minimum wage, and it is not adding up.
“So, the issue is, taxing Nigeria is killing. The last time I asked, they claimed they are taxing the rich. That is not true. They are taxing everybody because at the end of the day, tax has been added to what the rich put up in the market to sell. So, the people are left with no option but to buy. So, it still trickles down to the masses.”
However, the PDP and NNPP urged the National Assembly to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians over political interests during the discussions.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has dismissed reports that aggrieved aspirants who lost the party’s primary elections are plotting to work against its candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Following the conclusion of the party’s primaries a few weeks ago, reports had alleged that some unsuccessful aspirants were considering supporting candidates of other political parties in protest, with the aim of undermining APGA’s chances at the polls.
However, APGA National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, described the claims as false, insisting that the party remains united after a reconciliation meeting convened by Governor Charles Soludo.
“I am hearing this from you. As a party, we have not received any report of such a plot. Let me state clearly that all the aspirants have resolved to work for the success of the party in the 2027 general elections,” Opara said.
He explained that during the meeting held at the Light House in Awka, aspirants and candidates openly discussed issues arising from the primaries, stressing that none of the participants accused the party of conducting an unfair or non-transparent process.
“Everyone expressed their views about the primary elections. No one alleged that the process lacked transparency. The only concern expressed was that each aspirant had hoped to emerge victorious.
“At the end of the meeting, every misunderstanding, anxiety and misgiving surrounding the primaries was resolved, and the party remains one united family,” he added.
Opara also warned opposition parties against what he described as deliberate attempts to spread falsehoods and create disaffection within APGA.
He cautioned individuals engaging in cyberbullying and name-dropping for political purposes to desist, warning that the party would not hesitate to pursue legal action against anyone found defaming its members.
“This is nothing but cheap blackmail by the opposition. They should be mindful of the legal consequences of cyberbullying and name-dropping. We urge our party faithful and the general public to disregard these spurious reports,” he said.
This version improves grammar, flow, attribution, and readability while preserving the substance of the original report.
Former Minister Uche Nnaji
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a court order permitting it to detain former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, for an initial 14 days as investigations into alleged certificate forgery continue.
The remand order followed Nnaji’s arrest on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after he arrived from Enugu aboard a chartered flight.
According to an official of the anti-graft agency, the court-approved remand will enable investigators to interrogate the former minister over the allegations, with the possibility of seeking an extension should further investigation require additional time.
Nnaji was apprehended following the execution of a bench warrant earlier issued by the Federal High Court after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations extended by the commission.
The ICPC subsequently confirmed the arrest in an official statement signed by its spokesperson, John Odey, stating that the former minister is in the commission’s custody as investigations continue into allegations bordering on the forgery of academic credentials and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening process.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Despite the Federal High Court pronouncement against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in Anambra state, the National Working Committee( NWC) of the party has issued nomination forms to candidates of the National and state Assemblies of the party .
Recall that the Federal High Court Abuja had ruled that Sen Emma Anosike is not the Chairman of the party; a judgement that is unsettling party in the area which the plaintiffs denied knowledge of the suit insisting that it is a kangaroo pronouncement.
The affected state executive members, Bright Osemeka, Mrs Ify Chinwoko Nzekwe and Amaechi Chinweze had contended that they never filed any action challenging the leadership of Sen Emma Anosike adding that they remain loyal to the Anosike led executive.
According to the Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the party Mr Emeka Okafor ;
“The Federal High Court pronounent did not mention the nominated candidates of the party for the National and state Assembly elections and we have issued nomination forms to the candidates”
“Again the matter neither joined the nominated candidates nor had any legal position on the primary elections of the party in Anambra state hence the nominated candidates remain our candidates for Anambra state ” he said.
Recall that Sen Emma Anosike as at the period of the primary elections was the Chairman of the party an exercise that was adjudged peaceful and transparent by the National Working Committee of the party and the Election Committee sent to the state by the Leadership of the party in Abuja .
Similarly, the expelled members of the party did not take part in the election following the suit filed by them against the party in Anambra state.
They were suspended by the party because the party found out that they did not explore the laid down avenues of conflict or dispute resolutions before heading to the Court which the party stated that it is against the constitution of the party which also stipulates outright expulsion.
Meanwhile it is not clear if the said Chairman of the party who the Court endorsed has taken over the party Secretarate in Awka , nor has he convened any meeting of the party; a development that has deepened the unsettled state of affairs of the party .
It is however gathered that sustained legal battle is on in Abuja over the said judgement as the crisis lasts .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Structures belonging the trio of People’s Democratic Party PDP, All Progressives Congress APC and Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC have been collapsed into the candidacy of Chief Chukwudi Oli of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Dunukofia – Njikoka -Ananocha Federal Constituency.
The development followed the adoption of his candidacy by a group made up of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Njikoka LGA, which is part of federal constituency.
Members of the group declared their support for Oli during a consultative meeting they held with the APGA House of Representatives candidate’s campaign organisation held at Abagana yesterday.
Members of the campaign organisation which is headed by a former chairman of Njikoka LGA as the Director-general (DG), Hon. George Ozor present at the meeting received the three structures into the fold of the organization.
In their separate speeches on behalf of members of the group, the leader, Ozo Ejiamatu, and , chairman, Mr. Onyenechi Ezeaso stated that they decided to throw their support behind Oli because of his proven passion and commitment toward the progress of the various communities within the federal constituency, and, humanity at large.
”In this our group, some of us are members of the PDP, APC, NDC, and, other political parties.
”But we decided to come together, to support you because we are convinced that by supporting you, we are working for ourselves because we know that you are going to work for the progress of DNA (Dunukofia/Njikoka/ Anaocha federal constituency) when you get to the House of Representatives.
”We don’t want to allow selfish politicians who have been deceiving our people to win election in this federal constituency, again, because they have deceived us enough “, Ejiamatu stated further.
Also, in his speech, Ezeaso made it clear that the group was not an APGA political group, adding that the support of the members for the party’s House of Representatives candidate in the federal constituency did not mean that the members of his group have adopted all APGA candidates.
Expressing gratitude to members of the group for trusting him, Oli pledged that he would not disappoint them if elected.
He said that his political mantra was anchored on “accountability, transparency, togetherness, and, touching lives”.
He vowed that if elected into the House of Representatives he would not use his position to pursue personal gains, but, would deploy his capacity and influence to the development of the federal constituency while awaiting for the divine reward.Stating that he would be guided by the philosophy of his mentor, the state-born popular oil mongul and philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze, Oli pledged that when elected the ordinary people in the federal constituency would breath fresh air, and, life made worth living for them.
Chairman of the campaign organisation, Chief Ozor, and, chairman of APGA in Njikoka LGA, Hon. Chinedu Anakwe eulogised members of the group for the confidence they reposed in Oli.
”We know that this federal constituency election will be one of the toughest elections in Anambra state, but, because we know the capacity of your leader, Ozo Ejiamatu, and, some of you we have no doubt that the fight has been made a lot easier and our victory assured”, Ozor stated.
The APGA chairman in Njikoka described the support of members of the group as a source of great courage, and, moral boost for the party and the House of Representatives candidate, and, indeed, other candidates of the party in the area, including for the senate , Hon Dozie Nwankwo.
Videos circulating on social media showed demonstrators chanting slogans while calling for a review of the party’s decision, although the authenticity and context of the footage could not immediately be independently verified.
Political observers said the protest exposed growing tensions between rival blocs within the state chapter of the APC, with disagreements centring on the selection of candidates and the influence of senior party figures.State & Local Government
While some party members alleged that Dr. Osamaye sympathised with the protesters, others insisted there was no evidence that she organised or officially endorsed the demonstration. The commissioner did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
A source in the governor’s camp reiterated Gov. Aiyedatiwa’s administration’s commitment to party discipline, saying all public office holders were expected to support decisions reached through established party structures.
“We remain committed to unity, discipline and due process. Anyone with concerns should utilise the internal mechanisms provided by the party rather than actions capable of creating public misunderstanding,” the source said.City & Local Guides
The APC’s state chapter also appealed for calm, urging members to avoid inflammatory rhetoric while internal consultations continued. Party officials maintained that disagreements over candidate selection should be resolved through dialogue and existing dispute-resolution mechanisms.
Political analysts noted that disputes over endorsements are common during election cycles, particularly where multiple aspirants command significant grassroots support. They warned that unresolved disagreements could undermine party cohesion and distract from preparations for the general election.Government
Although the immediate political consequences remain uncertain, observers said the episode illustrates the delicate balance party leaders must strike between enforcing discipline and accommodating internal dissent. Whether the disagreement develops into a broader political crisis is likely to depend on the outcome of ongoing consultations among key stakeholders in the party.State & Local Government.
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