Politics
Presidency To Zulum, Others: ‘Stop Misinforming, Misleading The Pubic On Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills’
The Presidency has responded to criticisms over the perceived haste in advancing the Tax Reform Bills, emphasizing that the legislation is the product of over 14 months of rigorous work by more than 80 experts from across Nigeria.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, clarified the extensive groundwork behind the reforms via a statement on Monday. He warned against delays, citing the two-decade legislative stagnation of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) as a cautionary tale, which resulted in significant economic losses.
Ajayi underscored the urgency of the bills, which aim to address Nigeria’s fiscal challenges by streamlining tax administration and creating a conducive environment for businesses. He dismissed claims that the reforms were rushed, describing such allegations as “disingenuous.”
“The Tax Reform Bills are the product of 14 months of extensive work by over 80 professionals drawn from every part of the country. It would be backward thinking to suggest a delay, as Nigeria cannot afford the economic setbacks that plagued the PIB for 20 years,” Ajayi stated.
Despite the Presidency’s defense, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum expressed reservations about the expedited legislative process. In an interview with BBC Hausa, Zulum advocated for a more deliberate approach, warning that a rushed bill could have long-term implications, especially for northern states.
“Why the rush? The Petroleum Industry Bill took almost 20 years before it was finally passed. But this tax reform bill is receiving legislative attention within a week. It should be treated carefully to ensure it benefits future generations,” Zulum cautioned.
Ajayi refuted allegations that the reforms would disadvantage certain regions or lead to the dissolution of key government agencies such as NASENI, TETFUND, and NITDA. He explained that the bills propose consolidating multiple taxes into a single levy to reduce the tax burden on businesses while ensuring these agencies remain funded through budgetary allocations.
“It is a misrepresentation of facts to suggest that changing an agency’s funding source amounts to scrapping it. The reform aims to phase out obsolete practices and streamline tax administration for economic growth,” he clarified.
Ajayi appealed for a fact-based discourse on the reforms, urging stakeholders to participate in upcoming public hearings organized by the National Assembly. He stressed the importance of leaders providing informed guidance to avoid polarizing the country.
“What is never in doubt is the imperative of changing the existing tax laws and administration that have become obsolete. Leaders should ensure their public utterances on this matter are measured to avoid heating the polity,” Ajayi concluded.
The Presidency assured Nigerians that the reforms aim to address fiscal challenges, attract investments, and set the stage for sustained economic growth while ensuring equity and fairness in implementation.
Kindly follow Ekwutosblog for verified News and Current Affairs in addition to insightful contents that inform, inspire, educate and entertain you always.
A faction of Accord Party has held its own governorship primary, where Mr. Clement Bamigbola emerged as the faction’s governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election.
This is coming just four days after the emergence of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the party’s flag-bearer.
Recall that the party under the leadership of Maxwell Mgbudem, on Wednesday, held a similar exercise which produced Governor Ademola Adeleke as the party’s candidate.
However, a faction of the party rejected his emergence, insisting that Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem is not the legally recognized national chairman of the Accord Party.
In a fresh development on Sunday, about 300 delegates of the Accord Party from across Osun State elected Bamigbola as the factional candidate during a primary held at Regina Suite, Osogbo.
Bamigbola emerged through a voice vote conducted by the delegates, after which the Chairman of the Primary Committee, Hon. Olufemi Ogundare, declared him the party’s candidate for the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
President Bola Tinubu and leaders of ECOWAS countries are currently meeting in Abuja.
The 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government is taking place at the State House Conference Centre, in Abuja.
Leaders of West African countries at the meeting include President Julius Bio (Sierra Leone, ECOWAS Chair), President Patrice Talon (Benin), José Maria Neves (Cabo Verde) and Alassane Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire).
Others are Adama Barrow (The Gambia), John Mahama (Ghana), Umaro Embaló (Guinea-Bissau), Joseph Boakai (Liberia), Bassirou Faye (Senegal) and Faure Gnassingbé (Togo).
The meeting is coming against the backdrop of five turbulent years for West Africa, which saw coups in Mali (2020, 2021), Burkina Faso (twice in 2022), and Niger (2023).
The latest incidents include an attempted coup in Benin on December 7, 2025, and renewed instability in Guinea-Bissau.
At the time of filing this report, details of the meeting are yet to be disclosed.
Politics
Breaking: Diri Orders Autopsy on Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s Death, Warns Against Politicisation
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the state’s Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Governor Diri gave the directive on Saturday while receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Reacting to the incident, the governor condemned what he described as widespread misinformation and speculation on social media, warning against any attempt to politicise the deputy governor’s death.
“I want to make an appeal. I have seen people politicise his death. In Ijaw land, there is no enmity in death. Let nobody politicise the passing of our dearly beloved deputy governor,” Diri said.
“If anyone truly loves him, this is the time to show it. I have directed that an autopsy be carried out to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media.”
The governor further urged the public to focus on mourning and honouring the late deputy governor, noting that the state government had declared three working days of mourning in his honour.
“If anyone is issuing statements to eulogise him, let it end there. Let us mourn him because Bayelsa State is in a mourning mood,” he added.
Governor Diri also called for unity and love among the people, reminding them of the inevitability of death.
Speaking during the condolence visit, former President Goodluck Jonathan described the late Ewhrudjakpo as a committed and dedicated individual who played a key role in the activities of his foundation.
“For me, he was someone my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programs,” Jonathan said, adding that Ewhrudjakpo worked tirelessly in that role, even more than when he served as deputy governor.
The man who tackled a gunman to the floor and saved people from getting sh0t at Bondi Beach in Australia has been identified as Ahmed al Ahmed.
John Cena Retires From Wrestling (Video)
Female Student Missing For 8 Days Found Chilling At Boyfriend’s House
-
Business1 year ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
-
Trending1 year agoNYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
-
Politics1 year agoMexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
-
Politics1 year agoPutin invites 20 world leaders
-
Politics1 year agoRussia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
-
Education1 year ago
GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI