 Politics › Re: Wike Getting Awfully Close To Fighting Tinubu- Kperogi by ogododo(op): 9:36pm On Jan 10 |
Nawa Nlfpmod. |
| Politics › Wike Getting Awfully Close To Fighting Tinubu- Kperogi by ogododo(op): 10:14am On Jan 10 |
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike revels in controversies, contentious public disputations, vituperative recriminations, and tensile political stress like a pig exults in mud. Peace and harmony bore him to tears. That is why he has an incrementally lengthening list of political spats with multiple people. His quarrel with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his former protégé, is his biggest and most sustained conflict. He is waging an open, ugly battle with his handpicked successor over political control in Rivers State, including public accusations and counter-accusations tied to governance decisions, patronage, and the state’s political machinery. He remains entangled in the PDP’s internal civil war, including arguments over whether disciplinary actions against him and his allies stand, plus competing claims of authority and legitimacy inside the party structure. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has publicly accused Wike of working to undermine him, with references to intimidation, smear campaigns, and broader PDP turmoil. Wike has responded with derision and counter-attacks. Wike is also slinging mud with Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General John Azuta-Mbata. In response to Azuta-Mbata’s caution that “there is only one governor in Rivers State,” Wike characterized the former senator as a worthless, opportunistic local champion who was a “senator for eight years but there is nothing you can say you did for your people.” “Can somebody tell this semi-illiterate, swashbuckling, crisis-loving gentleman that Rivers State belongs to all of us, not him alone?” Azuta-Mbata shot back. Wike has ensured that his long-running rivalry with Rotimi Amaechi, his predecessor, remains active in public discourse, including his dismissal of Amaechi’s political prospects and recurring jabs tied to Rivers State legacy politics and national ambition. And he is embroiled in a fresh, high-profile intra-establishment clash with APC national secretary Ajibola Basiru, who is from Osun State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s real state of origin. I expect Tinubu to be next on the list. In fact, in fighting Basiru, Wike has inadvertently roped in Tinubu. “Don’t take our support for President Tinubu for granted,” he said to Basiru. “You have to be careful with your statements.” In other words, Wike is obliquely, nay explicitly, telling Tinubu that his support for a 2027 reelection is not guaranteed. It is conditional. It is contingent on reciprocity. If the president will not let him have Rivers State, he will stall the president’s reelection campaign within his sphere of influence. To underline this point, he said, “I can challenge anybody (including the president). This state is a no-go area.” In fact, the Tinubu-friendly P.M. News reported on January 5 that Wike “mocked speculations that he would be given instruction from above to allow Gov. Fubara run for second term.” When you add his threat that his support for President Tinubu should not be taken for granted to his boast that he can “challenge anybody” and his lampooning of suggestions that he could be commanded by “orders from above” (which is mere code for Tinubu) to yield to Fubara, who appears to be very close to Tinubu now, you can tell that it is only a matter of time before Wike’s confrontation with Tinubu blows up in the open. Again, Vice President Kashim Shettima’s subtle, diplomatically delivered but nonetheless poignant reminder to Wike that state governors are, by convention, the leaders of the party in their states, which APC national chairman Nentawe Yilwatda pushed back against, signals a deeper intra-establishment trouble. It is not clear if Shettima’s sly dig conveyed Tinubu’s message. But the vice president knows a thing or two about the wisdom and political utility of maintaining a respectable distance from, and allowing a wide latitude of independence for, people whose rise to power you facilitated. As I have pointed out in many previous articles, the VP and Governor Babagana Zulum, his handpicked successor, have a relationship that is almost unexampled in Nigeria. Zulum even led an impassioned physical protest in June 2025 when the VP’s name was excluded from the APC North-East stakeholders’ endorsement for the 2027 presidential election. He led delegates who chanted, “Shettima! Shettima!” “No Shettima, no APC in the North-East!” I am yet to see that level of loyalty to a predecessor from any governor years after election. Perhaps Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo can rival that depth of loyalty, given that so far he has not fallen out with his benefactor and predecessor Yahaya Bello. Wike, and several political “godfathers,” have a lot to learn from Shettima and Bello. But why does Wike get his highs from perpetual political crisis? My own sense is that it is the product of Dutch courage, as alcohol-inspired bravado is called. As any casual observer of his histrionics can tell, he always looks like a bibulous reveler. There is a recent viral video of his media aide slyly handing him a bottle of an alcoholic beverage while he was speaking. Perhaps the aide noticed that Wike was in danger of getting sober and running out of his Dutch courage. Someone close to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar once confided in me that Wike’s compulsive alcoholism and predilection for disruptive, alcohol-fueled theatrics was the single most important reason he was passed over as a running mate in 2023. Wike is a great example of why I am a teetotaler, that is, a total abstainer from alcoholic drinks. My father, as many of my readers know, was an Islamic cleric. He was, of course, a scrupulous teetotaler, inspired by his strong Muslim faith. However, in bringing us up to also be teetotalers, he relied on the resources of logic. He taught us that being drunk deprives one of control over one’s consciousness, and one’s environment, and that such a state can birth many untoward things. He used to call alcohol the mother of sins. Wike is proof positive of this. In his drunken state, he is fighting everyone and revealing information that normal, sober people keep under wraps. For example, in vituperating APC national secretary Ajibola Basiru, Wike suggested that he helped teleguide the judiciary to secure the court outcome that led to the withholding of Osun State’s local government funds. One widely circulated version of his remarks, seen in a video of his speech in Port Harcourt, quoted him as implying that the court action did not happen by accident and that powerful actors worked behind the scenes to shape it. “Today, you are enjoying in Osun. You don’t know those who did the work,” he said. “Anything you see, take it. Anything you see, what? Take it.” No sober person publicly confesses to subverting the course of justice. Now, he has begun to say things about Tinubu that most sober, self-aware people who are as favored as he is in this government would recoil from. In Wike’s bacchanalian braggadocio, he is far too gone to realize just how vulnerable he is. Tinubu can remove him as a minister and take away a huge portion of the symbolic, political, and financial capital he deploys to remain relevant. He can disrupt his legendary hold on the judiciary and use Fubara, his nemesis, against him. Most people will celebrate his downfall. When a man confuses noise for power and bravado for leverage, he mistakes indulgence for invincibility. Wike will soon discover that in politics, even the loudest drum can be silenced. https://www.farooqkperogi.com/2026/01/wike-getting-awfully-close-to-fighting.html?m=1 |
| Politics › KPMG Identifies Errors, Inconsistencies, Gaps, Others In New Tax Laws by ogododo(op): 8:54am On Jan 09 |
Says shortfalls need urgent reconsideration to attain stated objectives of tax reform •Seeks action on controlled foreign companies, taxation of non-resident persons, imposition of tax, deductions allowed, others •Calls for exclusion of withholding tax on insurance premiums paid to non-residents Global advisory services firm, KPMG has exposed gaps, errors, omissions, and inconsistencies in the new Nigeria Tax Act (NTA), calling for urgent reviews to ensure the attainment of the stated tax reform objectives.
Some of the identified shortfalls bothered on clarity among other critical oversights in the legislation.
KPMG in its latest newsletter titled, “Nigeria’s New Tax Laws: Inherent Errors, Inconsistencies, Gaps and Omissions”, reaffirmed the potential of the laws to transform tax administration in the country.
It stated, “There are many provisions in these laws that will result in increased revenue for the government, if well implemented. However, there is always the need to strike a delicate balance between revenue generation and sustainable growth.
“It is, therefore, critical that the government review the gaps, omissions, inconsistencies and lacunae highlighted in this Newsletter to ensure the attainment of the desired objectives.”
The firm noted that as with any tax reform, the new tax laws aimed to achieve equity and fairness; simplification and efficiency of tax administration; competitiveness; adapt to changing economic conditions; combat tax avoidance and tax evasion; improve revenue generation and stimulate economic growth.
But it stressed that certain errors, inconsistencies, gaps, omissions, and lacunae in the new tax laws must be urgently reconsidered to achieve desired objectives.
Citing an error/gap in Section 17(3) (b) of the NTA which bothered on taxation of non-resident persons, KPMG recommended that Section 6(1) of the NTAA should be updated to include not only non-residents that derive passive income from investments in Nigeria but also income in which the deduction at source is the final tax.
This, it stated, would clearly absolve non-residents from the tax registration requirement where they have no Permanent Establishment (PE) or Significant Economic Presence (SEP) in the country.
The report stated, “This section specifies the conditions under which profits derived by a non-resident are taxable in Nigeria. Although Section 17(4) of the NTA states that payment deducted at source in respect of payments by Nigerian residents to non-residents, irrespective of where the service is rendered, shall be final tax where the non-resident has no permanent establishment (PE) or Significant Economic Presence (SEP) in Nigeria to which the payment is attributable, it does not clearly absolve the non-resident from tax registration requirements under Section 6(1) of the NTAA.
“This in, our view, cannot be the intention of the law. The intention should be that non-residents that do not have PE or SEP in the country should not be required to file tax returns as provided for in Section 11(3) of the NTAA.”
Also, on Section 3(b)&(c) of the NTA which pertained to imposition of tax, KPMG recommended that if the intention is to impose tax on communities, this should be explicitly introduced in the section, otherwise, the law should clearly state that communities are now exempt from tax.
It said, “The section specifies persons on whom taxes should be levied, including individuals, families, companies or enterprises, trustees, and an estate, but omits ‘community. However, community’ is included in the definition of ‘person’ under Section 201.”
The report further urged the government to modify Section 6(2) of the NTA, concerning Controlled Foreign Companies (CFC), by providing clarity on the treatment of foreign and local dividends.
It noted, “The Act states that undistributed foreign profits are to be ‘construed as distributed’ but also mandates that they be “included in the profits of the Nigerian company” (implying income tax at 30 per cent).
“Though dividend distributed by a Nigerian company is deemed to be franked investment income, this does not appear to be the case with dividends distributed by foreign companies.
“It thus appears that such dividends will be taxed at the income tax rate. Consequently, there will be differences in the treatment of dividends distributed by Nigerian companies and those distributed by foreign companies.”
In addition, KPMG recommended that Section 6(1) of the NTAA on taxation of non-resident persons be updated to include not only non-residents that derive passive income from investments in Nigeria but also income in which the deduction at source is the final tax, adding that this would clearly absolve non-residents from the tax registration requirement where they have no PE or SEP in the country.
The audit firm also sought amendment to Section 20(4) of the NTA regarding tax deductions allowed.
The section states that expenses incurred in a currency other than the naira may only be deducted to the extent of its naira equivalent at the official exchange rate published by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
According to KPMG, this implied that where a business buys forex at a rate that is higher than the official rate, such a company cannot claim tax deduction for the difference in value between the official and the other rates.
The intention, it noted, is to discourage speculative foreign exchange transactions and encourage the appreciation of the naira, adding however, that issues surrounding the accessibility of all forex needs due to supply problems have not been fully considered.
The firm said, “We do not think that this condition is necessary at this time. With the current state of the economy, focus should be on improving liquidity and introducing stricter reporting requirements to track and monitor foreign exchange transactions.”
Furthermore, KPMG picked holes in Section 21 of the NTA which includes expenses on which VAT had not been charged.
The firm said, “This means that such expenses will not be considered allowable tax deductions even when those expenses have been validly incurred for business purposes. This implies that a company could be held accountable for any inaction or non-performance by its suppliers or service providers.
“While the defaulting service providers may eventually be required to pay the VAT during an audit or investigation, the company will have already been denied the ability to claim a deduction for the related expense.”
It stated, “The only criteria should be that any expense that is wholly and exclusively incurred for business purposes should be allowable for tax purposes.”
On Section 27 of the NTA which dwelt on ascertainment of total profits of companies, KPMG called for the modification to specify the deduction of capital losses.
It said, “The NTA is not definite on whether capital loss, other than that arising from the disposal of digital or virtual assets, is deductible. However, we believe that the intention is for such losses to be deductible.”
KPMG also reviewed Section 30 of the NTA on ascertainment of chargeable income of an individual.
The firm pointed out that in determining the taxable income of an individual, the section limits the deductible items to contribution to the National Housing Fund (NHF), contribution to National Health Insurance Scheme, pension contribution, annuity and life insurance. premium, interest on mortgage for developing owner-occupied residential house, rent relief of 20 per cent of annual rent, subject to a maximum of N500,000.
It also noted that the expanded tax bands and rates will be applied to the taxable income to determine the tax payable.
The firm added, “It appears that the objective of these revisions is to ensure that low-income individuals are not taxed heavily. However, it is also not right that the tax payable by high-income earners should be oppressive. Finding the right balance is, therefore, critical.
“Over taxation can negatively affect economic growth while under taxation can increase inequality. Consequently, many countries embrace the concept of progressive taxation. Efforts are always being made to lessen the tax burden on all taxpayers to enhance sustainable growth.
“Where citizens deem the provisions of the tax law to be oppressive, it may lead to noncompliance and capital flight as wealthy individuals relocate to lower-tax jurisdictions. This may eventually stifle economic growth as high tax may discourage entrepreneurship, investment and job creation.”
It said, “Therefore, the rent relief of N500,000 is so insignificant given the personal allowances that other countries offer their citizens. In the erstwhile Personal Income Tax Act (PITA), every individual taxpayer was entitled to 20 per cent of income plus the higher of N200,000 or one per cent of income.
The report recommended that “Since the tax bands and rates have been expanded, we suggest that the erstwhile consolidated personal allowance in the PITA be retained to promote voluntary compliance.”
Among other things, KPMG said the government must seek international cooperation and collaboration to facilitate the sharing of information, build capacity and capability of tax administration in the country.
The firm urged businesses to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the changes on their business operations.
“The analysis should include a detailed evaluation of tax footprints to manage undue exposures and ensure compliance. There must be assurance that adequate documentation is in place to support related-party and third-party transactions and manage exposures during a tax audit/review exercise by the tax authority.
“Their finance and tax functions should have a basic knowledge of the changes through training programs and consultation with professionals and experts to ensure compliance and mitigate risks. They also will need to leverage experts for payroll configuration and support, e-invoicing support, and outsourcing tax-managed services, among others.
“There must be proper configuration of companies’ ERPs and other systems to align with the provisions of the Acts, such as PIT tax rates/computation, Fiscalisation/E-invoicing, etc,” it stated. https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/01/09/kpmg-identifies-errors-inconsistencies-gaps-others-in-new-tax-laws/
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| European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) › Liverpool Vs Burnley (1 - 1) On 17th January 2026 by ogododo(op): 2:47pm On Jan 08 |
Liverpool vs Burnley 17/01/2026 4:00 pm. |
| Literature › Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Son, Nkanu Nnamdi, Is Dead by ogododo: 11:45am On Jan 08 |
Osanobuwa, nawa he pain oo. |
| Politics › Re: Bandits Storm National Park Service Office In Oyo, Kill Five Personnel. by ogododo(op): 1:45pm On Jan 07 |
Nawa Nlfpmod, who dey kpai pipu anyhow? |
| Politics › Bandits Storm National Park Service Office In Oyo, Kill Five Personnel. by ogododo(op): 12:31pm On Jan 07 |
Breaking: Bandits Storm National Park Service Office in Oyo, Kill Five Personnel.
Bandits have attacked the National Park Service (NPS) office in Oloka, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The attack occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Preliminary information indicates that at least five NPS personnel were killed during the assault. As of the time of filing this report, the bodies of the victims are yet to be recovered, as they are believed to be located within the surrounding forest area. @PoliceNG @HQNigerianArmy Source
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| Politics › PDP Alive, Strong – Jonathan by ogododo(op): 9:53am On Jan 07 |
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains alive, strong, and resilient, despite the lingering internal divisions within the main opposition party.
Jonathan reaffirmed that the PDP remains a fundamental pillar of Nigeria’s democracy, noting that it is the only surviving original political party since 1998.
The former President stated this while receiving members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, led by the National Chairman, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, during a high-level consultative meeting held at his private office in Abuja on Tuesday.
The meeting focused on the party’s reconciliation process and strategic repositioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dr. Jonathan noted that the PDP possesses the historical resilience and institutional strength required to overcome its current internal challenges, describing the party as more than a political platform but a national institution.
“The PDP, being the only surviving original political party since 1998, has been a critical contributor to our democracy since 1999. I have been a beneficiary of this party, which gave me the opportunity to serve as Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice President, and President. I am grateful to the party and will continue to contribute my quota because I feel deeply indebted to it,” he said.
He urged the party’s leadership to place national interest and institutional development above personal considerations, stressing that strong political parties are essential for democratic stability.
Dr Turaki assured Jonathan that the current PDP leadership is committed to a comprehensive “Rebirth Agenda” aimed at rebuilding and strengthening the party.
On reconciliation, the PDP chairman said the party prefers dialogue over litigation but was compelled to defend itself in court after being sued by aggrieved members.
He maintained that the leadership remains committed to reuniting the party once the ongoing legal disputes are resolved. https://dailytrust.com/pdp-alive-strong-jonathan/?noamp=available
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| Politics › Re: Nigeria Has An Income Distribution Problem- Peterside by ogododo(op): 11:09pm On Jan 06 |
Nawa Nlfpmod, dem just dey steal our resources. |
| Politics › Nigeria Has An Income Distribution Problem- Peterside by ogododo(op): 10:27pm On Jan 05 |
Nigeria Has An Income Distribution Problem; We Have the Very Wealthy and Phenomenally Poor – Peterside
Some poor people can be easily recruited into banditry and terrorism. The president is sitting pretty while we have a serious problem on our hands.
Atedo Peterside, President, ANAP Foundation and Founder, IBTC Bank.
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| European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) › Fulham Vs Chelsea (2 - 1) On 7th January 2026 by ogododo(op): 9:30pm On Jan 05 |
Fulham vs Chelsea 07/01/2026 20:30 pm. |
| Politics › Re: NASS Releases The Four Certified Tax Acts To Public by ogododo(op): 3:26pm On Jan 05 |
Which one be aute. |
| Politics › Re: National Assembly Disowns ‘Gazetted’ Tax Laws by ogododo(op): 1:47pm On Jan 05 |
Nawa Nlfpmod. |
| Politics › National Assembly Disowns ‘Gazetted’ Tax Laws by ogododo(op): 8:46am On Jan 05 |
The National Assembly has disowned the four gazetted tax laws which have been generating ripples following the alleged discrepancies between the version passed by the lawmakers as contained in the approved votes and proceedings and those gazetted and circulated to the public.
The legislature late Saturday night released Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the approved versions of the tax laws as earlier passed by both chambers and transmitted for presidential assent.
A comparison of the CTCs to the earlier “altered” gazetted versions shows that the discrepancies have been addressed, with the National Assembly approving the versions it passed and disowning the controversial gazetted copies that had stirred public concern.
The four laws, which took effect on January 1, are the National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act and the Nigeria Tax Act.
National Assembly in March, with Votes and Proceedings produced in May; while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assented to them in June. The laws were gazetted on June 26, according to soft copies of the official gazette sighted by Daily Trust.
A member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dasuki had in December last year, raised a matter of privilege, alleging discrepancies between the tax laws passed by the National Assembly and the versions gazetted and made available to the public.
In a statement at the weekend, the spokesman of the House, Akin Rotimi, Abbas Tajudeen, acting in concurrence with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, directed the immediate release of the CTCs of the tax laws, including the endorsement and assent pages signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to enable public scrutiny and verification.
The statement said the release of the CTCs underscored the leadership’s commitment to transparency and legislative integrity.
“The attention of the House was drawn to the existence of inconsistent versions of the tax laws in circulation after a vigilant Honourable member identified discrepancies, raised the alarm, and formally reported the matter to the House on a point of privilege.
“Acting promptly, the speaker ordered an internal verification and the immediate public release of the certified Acts to eliminate doubt, restore clarity, and protect the sanctity of the legislative record.”
“In directing the release of the certified Acts, Speaker Abbas reassured Nigerians that the National Assembly remains an institution of records, guided by clearly defined rules, precedents, archival systems, and verification processes that safeguard the authenticity of every law enacted.
“The National Assembly is an institution built on records, procedure, and institutional memory. Every Bill, every amendment, and every Act follows a traceable constitutional and parliamentary pathway. Once a law is passed and assented to, its integrity is preserved through certification and custody by the legislature. There is no ambiguity about what constitutes the law.”
“Speaker Abbas further emphasised that the House would remain vigilant and proactive in defending the integrity of its work, clarifying that the only authentic and authoritative versions of the four tax Acts are those certified and released by the National Assembly.
“Members of the public, institutions, professionals, and stakeholders are therefore advised to disregard and discountenance any other documents or versions in circulation that are not certified by the National Assembly, as such materials do not form part of the official legislative record.
“Consequently, the Clerk to the National Assembly has concluded the process of aligning the Acts – duly passed, assented to, and certified – with the Federal Government Printing Press to ensure accuracy, conformity, and uniformity. Hard copies of the certified tax Acts have also been produced and are being circulated to all Honourable Members and Distinguished Senators, and made available to the public, to ensure institutional clarity, uniform reference, and legislative certainty.
“The House affirms that the work of the Ad-Hoc Committee, chaired by Rt. Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, OON, continues, in line with its mandate, to determine the circumstances surrounding the circulation of unauthorised versions of the tax Acts and to recommend measures that will prevent a recurrence and preserve the authenticity and reliability of parliamentary records”, the statement read.
‘Gazetted’ tax laws vs CTCs
Daily Trust reports that a close review of the CTCs of the laws released by the National Assembly in comparison with those earlier released as gazetted tax laws showed that the alterations have been addressed.
Under Section 3(1)(b), the the National Assembly-passed bill listed five categories of federal taxes under administration, including taxation of petroleum income and Value Added Tax (VAT). Both items were removed from the gazetted Act.
Meanwhile, in the CTCs released by the National Assembly, the items removed have been restored as they were in the original version passed.
The section in the approved version by the National Assembly reads: Section 3(1)… (b) have power to administer the following taxes —
(i) income tax
(ii) taxation of income from petroleum,
(iii) stamp duties,
(iv) value added tax, and
(v) tax incentives;
In the altered gazetted act, Section 29 introduces far-reaching changes to reporting obligations. While the National Assembly version provided for annual returns, with reporting thresholds of monthly cumulative N50 million for individuals and N250 million for companies, the altered gazetted Act replaces this with quarterly returns and significantly lowers the thresholds to monthly cumulative N25 million and N100 million respectively.
A check by Daily Trust showed that the National Assembly has released the original version as earlier passed in the CTCs.
Also, the nature of information to be supplied to the tax authorities in the altered gazetted was also narrowed from names, customer locations and transaction details of new and existing customers to names and addresses only.
In the altered gazetted version, provisions in Sections 29(3) and (4) that empowered tax authorities to demand information by notice were removed entirely.
However, the CTCs retained the original version passed which states demand of information by tax authorities must be done by notice.
The section as released by the National Assembly reads:
29—(3) Without prejudice to subsections (1) and (2) of this section, for the purpose of obtaining information relative to taxation, the relevant tax authority may give notice to any person including a person engaged in banking business in Nigeria to provide within the time stipulated in the notice, information including the name and address of any person specified in the notice.
Altered computation of currency rule restored
Section 39(3) of the National Assembly-passed version allowed returns relating to petroleum operations to be computed in the currency of transaction; while the altered gazetted Act mandates that such tax computations be made in US dollars.
However, the National Assembly retained the original provision in the current version which stipulates: 39.—(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, tax shall be assessed in the currency of transaction. (2) Tax, including royalty, assessed in a currency other than the Nigerian Naira shall be paid in that currency. (3) In the case of any return under this Act relating to petroleum operations, all computations shall be in currency of transaction.
Sections introduced on Tax Appeal Tribunal removed
A new provision, Section 41( , introduced into the altered gazetted Acts which requires a taxpayer dissatisfied with the decision of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, and seeking to appeal to the High Court, to deposit 20 per cent of the disputed amount as security before the appeal can be heard was removed from the current version approved by the National Assembly.
Also, a Section 41(9), which was also inserted in the altered gazetted version which further formalises the appeal chain, spelling out a progression from the Tax Appeal Tribunal to the High Court, the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court was also deleted from the current version released by the National Assembly.
The National Assembly only retained Section 41(1-7) as earlier passed and removed the new sections introduced.
Section on movable assets’ sale without court order expunged
Section 61 of the altered gazetted Act which introduced new provision permitting the Service to sell movable assets without a High Court order was expunged by the National Assembly; while the original version which stipulates that a court order be obtained was retained.
The CTCs stipulate: 61(3) Assets distrained by the Service under this section may, at the cost of that person or corporate body, be kept for 14 days and at the end of that time if the amount due in respect of the tax, cost and charges incidental to the distrain are not paid, they may, subject to subsection (5), be sold only with an order of the High Court subject to subsection.
Power of arrest ascribed to Revenue Service expunged
Section 64(1) of the altered gazetted of the Nigerian Tax Administration Act inserted a new provision giving the tax authority the power to arrest suspected offenders through relevant law enforcement agencies.
The altered version reads: …the tax authority shall have the power to investigate or cause an investigation to be conducted to ascertain any violation of any tax law, whether or not such violation has been reported to the relevant tax authority and shall also have the power to arrest any person suspected of committing such violations through relevant law enforcement agency.”
However, the version passed the National Assembly only empowered the tax authority to investigate or cause an investigation to be conducted to ascertain any violation of tax laws, whether or not such violation had been reported.
The original version as passed by the National Assembly has been retained in the CTCs.
The section as retained by the National Assembly states: 64.—(1) “Notwithstanding the provision of any other law, the tax authority shall have the power to investigate or cause an investigation to be conducted to ascertain any violation of any tax law, whether or not such violation has been reported to the relevant tax authority."
NASS oversight power over Revenue Service restored
In the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, the alterations made to some sections which removed the power of the National Assembly to oversight the Revenue Service and ensure accountability have been restored.
While Section 25 of the National Assembly passed version requires the Service to submit quarterly and annual reports to the National Assembly on its activities, performance and financial statements, these reporting obligations were omitted from the altered gazetted Act, thereby removing the power of oversight from the National Assembly.
Similarly, while Section 26 of the version earlier passed by the National Assembly expressly empowers the National Assembly to summon the Executive Chairman or board members to account for administrative, governance and financial matters, the altered gazetted version removed this aspect.
Meanwhile, checks by Daily Trust showed that these sections which were removed have been retained in the CTCs.
The altered versions read: “25. The Service shall keep proper accounts and records, and such accounts shall, not later than six months after the end of each year, be audited by auditors appointed by the Board from the list and in accordance with the guidelines supplied by the Auditor-General for the Federation.
“26. (1) The Service shall, not later than 30 June each year, submit to the Minister, a report of its activities during the immediate preceding year and shall include in such report the audited accounts of the Service.”
However, the version as retained in the CTCs stipulates: “25— (1) The Service shall keep proper accounts and records, and such accounts shall, not later than six months after the end of each year, be audited by auditors appointed by the Board from the list and in accordance with the guidelines supplied by the Auditor-General for the Federation.
(2) The Service shall, through the relevant committee, submit to the National Assembly, quarterly and annual reports on its activities, performance, and financial statements.
(3) The reports specified in “26.—(1) The Service shall, not later than 30 June each year, submit to the Minister, a report of its activities during the immediate preceding year and shall include in such report the audited accounts of the Service.
(2) The Minister shall within 30 days of receipt of the report present a copy of the report to the — (a) Federal Executive Council; and (b) National Assembly. (3) Upon receipt of the report in subsection (2)(b) of this section, the National Assembly may summon the Executive Chairman or members of the Board in respect of matters relating to the administration, governance, and financial management of the Service.”
Similarly, Section 30 in the original version passed by the National Assembly assigns broader accountability duties to the Executive Chairman of the Revenue Service, including the submission of strategic plans, budgets and routine reports to the minister and the National Assembly, as well as mandatory responses to ministerial recommendations. These provisions were removed from altered act.
Meanwhile, these provisions have been retained in the CTCs, thus, making the Revenue Service to remain accountable to the National Assembly.
Insertions on Joint Revenue Board Act removed
Insertions made to Section 9 of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act were removed by the National Assembly; while the original version as earlier passed was retained. Section 9 of the National Assembly-passed version states that any officer exercising the board’s powers must be specifically authorised by the board. The altered gazetted Act however uses broader language, referring to “any officer specifically in that behalf”, without clearly stating who grants the authorisation.
While the altered version states: 9. (1) Any power conferred and any duty imposed upon the Board may be exercised or performed by the Board or by any officer specifically on its behalf.
The version as retained by the National Assembly now states: “(9.—(1) Any power conferred and any duty imposed upon the Board may be exercised or performed by the Board or by any officer authorized generally or specifically in that behalf by the Board.”
Alterations on funding provisions expunged
Alterations made to some sections to allow the Revenue Service add additional sources of funding were removed and the original version retained.
While Section 14 of the version approved by the National Assembly as contained in Votes and Proceedings lists four sources of funding, the altered gazetted Act introduces an additional source, allowing “additional contributions from members” to fund board activities.
However, the CTCs removed the additional funding sources and retained the four sources funding as earlier passed.
Alterations on funding from Consolidated Revenue Fund
Also addressed were the alterations made to some sections in the altered gazetted Act which removed the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Office of the Tax Ombudsman from direct funding from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).
The CTCs provide that both the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Office of the Tax Ombudsman shall be funded from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as appropriated by the National Assembly; while the altered gazetted Act removes reference to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, stating only that funding shall be through appropriation by the National Assembly.
NRS alerts security agencies on rumoured protests
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, has asked security agencies to be on alert over rumours of protests against tax laws.
Adedeji spoke on Sunday during an interview on Arise Television, where he cautioned Nigerians against being misled by misinformation surrounding the reforms.
He said citizens should study the tax laws carefully and understand how the provisions affect them, rather than relying on rumours or calls for mass action.
“No individual, except in an emergency, can suspend the law. The law passed by the national assembly is the law,” he said.
Ruling out the suspension of the laws, he said only amendments can be made where grievances exist.
“Implementation has started. People have started to see the result, and they say they want to go on a protest.
“I am using this time to call all the security agencies to be on alert.” https://dailytrust.com/nass-disowns-gazetted-tax-laws/
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| Politics › Tinubu Orders Manhunt For Terrorists Behind Niger Market Massacre by ogododo(op): 7:20pm On Jan 04 |
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday ordered the military, police, and State Security Service to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack in Niger State, where terrorists killed at least 30 villagers and abducted scores of women and children. The President also directed security agencies to urgently rescue all kidnapped victims, warning that the terrorists “must face the full consequences of their criminal actions.” In a statement signed by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu linked Saturday’s attack to terrorists fleeing from Sokoto and Zamfara states following the United States airstrike on Christmas Eve. Armed bandits killed 30 persons, including women, during the attack on Kasuwan Daji market in Demo community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, on Saturday, January 3, 2026. The gunmen also kidnapped many people and set the market ablaze. Niger State Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun confirmed that suspected bandits from the National Park forest along Kabe District invaded Kasuwan Daji, burnt the market, looted shops, and carted away food items. “These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people. They must, therefore, face the full consequences of their criminal actions. No matter who they are or what their intent is, they must be hunted down,” the President declared. He added, “They, and all those who aid, abet, or enable them in any form, will be caught and brought to justice.” Tinubu sent his condolences to the families of the victims and the government and people of Niger State, assuring that security agencies have been mandated to intensify operations around vulnerable communities. The President’s directive comes barely two weeks after the United States military conducted airstrikes in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State between 11:45 p.m. on December 25 and 12:30 a.m. on December 26, targeting terrorist bases hosting jihadist affiliates in the Bauni axis. According to the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the operation targeted two prominent Islamic State sites in the Bauni forest in Tangaza, with 16 munitions fired by MQ-9 Reaper drones at fighters attempting to infiltrate Nigeria from the Sahel. The Lakurawa group, which operates in remote parts of Sokoto State, including Tangaza, Gudu, Illela, Binji, and Silame local governments, as well as in northwest Zamfara and Kebbi states, has been designated a terrorist organisation by the Federal Government. Security analysts argue that the displacement of terrorists from their Sokoto and Zamfara strongholds following the US strikes has forced them to seek new operational bases in neighbouring Niger State. Residents of Kasuwan Daji said they had noticed the presence of armed men moving through nearby communities for nearly a week before Saturday’s assault. The attack occurred close to Papiri community, where more than 300 schoolchildren and teachers were abducted from a Catholic school in November 2025. The President urged Nigerians to remain united in confronting the security challenges, warning against “divisive rhetoric that could undermine national security and cohesion during this challenging period.” “These times demand our humanity. We must stand together as one people and confront these monsters in unison. United, we can and must defeat them, deny them any sanctuary. We must reclaim the peace and security of these attacked communities,” Tinubu said. In 2025, Nigeria was ranked on the Global Terrorism Index as the sixth most terrorised country globally, jumping two points from its previous ranking due to increased insurgency. At least 2,266 people were killed by non-state armed groups in the first half of 2025, a significant rise compared to around 1,083 fatalities during the same period in 2024, and already surpassing the 2,194 recorded over the whole of 2024. President Tinubu proposed a N5.41 trillion security allocation in the 2026 budget, the largest single sectoral provision, to fund new equipment for the military, strengthen joint operations among security agencies, and support community-based peacebuilding efforts aimed at containing violent extremism. https://punchng.com/tinubu-orders-manhunt-for-terrorists-behind-niger-market-massacre/ |
| European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) › Re: Fulham Vs Liverpool (2 - 2) On 4th January 2026 by ogododo(op): 7:09pm On Jan 04 |
Lilipool scored for 94th minute, dem no fit hold body, conquer conceed again. No be Slot suppose go? |
| Politics › Re: NASS Releases The Four Certified Tax Acts To Public by ogododo(op): 5:09pm On Jan 04 |
How pipu like buru dey defend APC nawa oo. |
| European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) › Re: Fulham Vs Liverpool (2 - 2) On 4th January 2026 by ogododo(op): 4:44pm On Jan 04 |
Lilipool Don conceed again. |
| Politics › Re: NASS Releases The Four Certified Tax Acts To Public by ogododo(op): 10:58am On Jan 04 |
Nawa Nlfpmod. |
| Politics › Re: NASS Releases The Four Certified Tax Acts To Public by ogododo(op): 10:45pm On Jan 03 |
Na which version be dis oo. |
| Politics › NASS Releases The Four Certified Tax Acts To Public by ogododo(op): 10:14pm On Jan 03*. Modified: 11:00am On Jan 04 |
Nass Releases the Four Certified Tax Acts to Public The National Assembly has released the four tax reform Acts duly signed into law by President Bola Tinubu for public record, verification and reference. House Spokesman Akin Rotimi says the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker, House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, directed the immediate release of the Certified True Copies of the Acts, including the endorsement and assent pages signed by the President. Rotimi says this is to dispel public concerns and allegations regarding purported alterations and the circulation of unauthorised and misleading versions of the laws. The four Acts released are: • The Nigeria Tax Act, 2025 • The Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025 • The National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025 • The Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, 2025. Rotimi further notes that parliament would remain vigilant and proactive in defending the integrity of its work, clarifying that the only authentic and authoritative versions of the four tax Acts are those certified and released by the National Assembly. https://x.com/i/status/2007557366712259069
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| Politics › Re: Oba Olaonipekun: Kidnappers Of Kwara Monarch, Son, Others Demand ₦450M Ransom by ogododo(op): 10:51am On Jan 03 |
Nawa Nlfpmod. N450m or four hundred and fifty thousand. |
| Politics › Tinubu’s Top-down, One-partyist Reelection Strategy- Kperogi by ogododo(op): 10:46am On Jan 03 |
What most Nigerians recognize as Nigeria’s creeping descent into stifling one-partyism, with what seems like the unstoppably expanding defections of major elected officials into the APC, is actually only President Bola Tinubu’s reelection strategy. It is a strategy that may well unravel after the 2027 presidential election, but whose immediate effects are already distorting the country’s democratic ecosystem and hollowing out the meaning of political choice.Nigerian legal consultation Tinubu’s consuming monomania for assembling all governors and legislators under the notional banner of the APC is structurally and substantively similar to previous presidents’ single-minded political expansionism under the PDP. Leadership training programs That earlier expansionism also provoked loud cries of one-partyist dictatorship from the commentariat and political opponents. History, it seems, is being cynically reenacted by people who had claimed to have learned from it. If you go back in time and read stories, editorials, and analyses from or about the 1999 to 2014 PDP era, you will see sustained arguments that Nigeria was being nudged toward a de facto one-party system. The fear then was that opposition parties were rendered functionally irrelevant through a venomous mix of incumbency power, institutional capture, induced defections and the systematic shrinking of political alternatives. For instance, in an August 26, 2003, analysis in ThisDay titled “The Spectre of One-Party Rule,” Chukwudi Nwabuko relied on the late Pa Abraham Adesanya’s grim exhortation to frame the PDP’s 2003 electoral dominance (and the corresponding weakening of opposition parties) as indicative of a mordant slide toward one-party democratic autocracy. The anxiety was grounded in what Nigerians were witnessing in real time: an opposition that could barely breathe, let alone challenge power.Nigerian legal consultation In a May 30, 2007, report after the presidential election that returned Umaru Musa Yar’adua as president, the International Crisis Group said the outcome marked a “further slide towards a one-party state.” It argued that PDP’s dominance was reinforced through captured institutions, selective anti-corruption pressure and especially rigged elections. This was not partisan rage. It was sober analysis by observers who had little interest in Nigerian party loyalties but a keen interest in democratic health. In fact, in April 2008, then PDP chairman Vincent Ogbulafor bragged that the “PDP will rule for 60 years,” a statement that quickly became a trope of one-party symbolism. “I don’t care if Nigeria becomes a one-party state,” Ogbulafor said. That boast is now memorialized as a defining rhetorical emblem of PDP-era political hubris, a moment when arrogance briefly dispensed with euphemism. By September 19, 2010, a Reuters dispatch on a major resignation to challenge Goodluck Jonathan in PDP primaries casually included the assessment that Nigeria was “close to being a one-party state.” That line was telling. It showed how widely the one-partyist frame had spread beyond domestic commentary into international reportage. Nigeria’s democratic drift had become legible to outsiders. It was against this background that Tinubu and his allies cast themselves as insurgents against PDP hegemony. They denounced the PDP’s one-partyist tendencies, mocked its hubris, and promised a more competitive political order. Now that Tinubu sits atop the same power structure, the irony is almost operatic. The script he once criticized is the same one he is now directing.Leadership training programs So why is Tinubu, who echoed the sentiments of the drift to one-partyism under the PDP and challenged it with all he had, playing the same game? There are two reasons I can divine for this, and neither flatters him nor augurs well for Nigeria’s democracy. First, even the most hopelessly fanatical Tinubu supporter cannot deny that Tinubu’s domestic economic policies have been an unrelieved disaster for the vast majority of people. With fuel subsidy gone, the naira aggressively devalued, petrol prices through the rooftops, an inflationary conflagration tearing everything apart, hunger on the rise, insecurity effectively democratized, hope on the run, and a looming taxation regime rooted in a legally questionable law, Tinubu has no positive record to run on. There is nothing in the lived experience of most Nigerians that he can point to and say, “This is why you should renew my mandate.” Economic pain can sometimes be sold as tough but necessary reform if people can see light at the end of the tunnel. In Tinubu’s case, the tunnel keeps getting darker, and the promised light keeps receding. In such circumstances, appealing directly to the electorate becomes politically suicidal.Nigerian legal consultation Which brings me to the second reason. For the 2027 election, Tinubu will not directly appeal to everyday Nigerians to vote for him. Instead, he will take a circuitous route: he will ask governors to deliver votes for him in exchange for his support for their own reelections. It is a transactional politics stripped of pretense, a politics that treats voters as passive objects to be mobilized, coerced or managed by local power brokers. It will be a classic quid pro quo, and the timetable released by INEC ensures that this arrangement works seamlessly. Presidential and National Assembly elections will take place on February 20, 2027, while governorship elections will take place on March 6. Leadership training programs This sequencing means that defecting governors have an abiding, existential imperative to “deliver” their states for Tinubu in February in the expectation that he will “deliver” for them a few weeks later. Their political survival becomes intertwined with his, and democratic choice becomes collateral damage. So, like the PDP he once opposed, Tinubu is banking on governors, not the ordinary voters he governs, to reelect him for a second term. He is instrumentalizing the power of incumbency to bludgeon politicians into the APC, thereby transforming what should be a contest of ideas into a consolidation of power. The mass defection of elected officials also achieves another crucial effect. It helps construct a notion of the inevitability of Tinubu’s reelection. If most of the governors of the federation are already in the APC and are actively campaigning for the president’s second term, what, many people will ask, is the point of opposing him? This is a powerful rhetorical maneuver designed to demoralize the critical electorate and sap the energy of opposition forces. It encourages political apathy and fatalism. It nudges even those who dislike the government into thinking that resistance is futile, that the outcome is already predetermined. That sense of inevitability is perhaps the most insidious weapon in the one-partyist arsenal. You do not need to ban opposition parties if you can convince people that opposing the ruling party is a waste of time. You do not need to rig every ballot if you can first rig expectations. But history offers a cautionary tale that Tinubu and his strategists would do well to remember. The PDP once believed its dominance was permanent. It mistook elite defections for popular consent. It confused the silence of intimidation with the endorsement of legitimacy. When the reckoning came in 2015, it came swiftly and decisively. One-partyist strategies can win elections, but they corrode the moral foundations of power. They produce brittle victories and hollow mandates. They also create pent-up frustrations that eventually find expression, often in unexpected and destabilizing ways. Tinubu’s top-down reelection strategy may very well work in the short term. Governors may deliver. Legislators may comply. Opposition parties may fracture further. Leadership training programs But a democracy reduced to elite transactions is a democracy living on borrowed time. The deeper question is not whether Tinubu can secure a second term this way, but what kind of country will be left behind when the illusion of inevitability finally collapses. Happy New Year to my readers! Update: A few hours after writing this column, INEC issued a statement disclaiming the 2027 electoral timetable some newspapers attributed to it. https://www.farooqkperogi.com/2026/01/tinubus-top-down-one-partyist.html |
| Politics › Oba Olaonipekun: Kidnappers Of Kwara Monarch, Son, Others Demand ₦450M Ransom by ogododo(op): 7:26pm On Jan 02 |
Abductors of a traditional ruler, his son and other residents in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have demanded a total ransom of N450million for their release.
The kidnappers demanded N150 million for the release of the Oniwo of Aafin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, and his son, Olaolu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, while N300 million is being sought for the release of eight residents abducted from Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja.
A family source of the monarch, who spoke to PUNCH on Friday on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the kidnappers made contact earlier in the day.
“The kidnappers contacted the family this afternoon and told us to bring N150 million to secure the release of Kabiesi and his son,” the source.
The source added that the family had been traumatised since the abduction, which occurred on New Year’s Eve.
“Since this incident happened, we have not been ourselves. We entered the new year with sorrow and tears. We are calling on the government and security agencies to come to our aid because we don’t know what to do,” he said.
The Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, also confirmed the ransom demands.
“Yes, it is true. The bandits contacted the family this afternoon and demanded N150 million for the release of Kabiesi and his son. Only two days ago, N300 million was demanded for the release of the Adanla abductees,” he said.
Bandits were reported to have invaded the Aafin community in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA on December 31, 2025, storming the monarch’s palace around 8 pm.
A family source said about eight armed men attacked the palace, firing sporadically and demanding to see the monarch and his wife.
“When they noticed we were locking doors and switching off lights, they started shooting. They broke the door with their guns and forced their way in,” the source said.
During the attack, the monarch’s wife, Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm and later rushed to hospital for treatment.
The attackers subsequently abducted the monarch and his son after overwhelming the community vigilante group.
“Only two vigilante members were on duty, and they could not match the firepower of the attackers,” the source added.
Similarly, on Friday, December 26, 2025, suspected bandits invaded Adanla community, a suburb of Igbaja in Ifelodun Local Government Area, abducting eight residents.
Witnesses said the attack occurred around 7 pm, with the gunmen storming the area in large numbers, firing sporadically and moving from house to house.
The twin abductions have heightened fears over the worsening security situation in Kwara State, particularly in Ifelodun, Isin, Edu and parts of Kwara South, which have recorded a surge in kidnappings in recent months.
In November 2025, the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, was abducted from his farm in the same local government area and held for weeks before regaining freedom after the payment of a ransom.
Efforts to obtain official comments from the Kwara State Police Command on the latest ransom demands were unsuccessful as of press time.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command was not aware of any ransom demand.
“We are not aware of any requests for ransom to free abducted persons in the state. The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, has repeatedly stated that the payment of ransom encourages and emboldens criminal elements to intensify their nefarious activities.
“The police and other security agencies are working round the clock to rescue abducted persons and rid the state of criminal elements,” she said.
Residents of the affected communities have continued to appeal to the state and federal governments to urgently strengthen security presence and ensure the safe release of all abducted victims. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/02/abductors-kwara-monarch-son-others-demand-n450million-ransom#google_vignette
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| European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) › Fulham Vs Liverpool (2 - 2) On 4th January 2026 by ogododo(op): 2:02pm On Jan 02 |
Fulham vs Liverpool 04/01/2026 4:00pm. |
| Politics › I’ll Withdraw Support If Peter Obi Runs As VP In 2027 – Pat Utomi by ogododo(op): 9:34pm On Jan 01 |
Political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, has said that former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, will contest the presidency in 2027, but noted that he would withdraw his support if Obi agrees to run as a vice-presidential candidate.
Utomi made the comment on Thursday evening during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.
Recall that Obi announced his formal defection from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress in Enugu on Wednesday.
At the event, the former presidential candidate, who placed third in the 2023 general election, polling about six million votes, said his move to the ADC marked the beginning of a journey to “rescue our country and set it on the path of proper socio-economic development.”
However, some supporters and critics, including the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, have questioned the move, raising concerns about the zoning of the party’s presidential candidacy, particularly with the membership of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the same party.
Speaking on the programme, Utomi ruled out a vice-presidential slot for Obi, saying he would “walk away” if the former Anambra State governor became a vice-presidential candidate.
“I can tell you that Peter Obi will contest for the presidency. The day he becomes somebody’s vice president, I walk away from his corner. I can tell you that for a fact,” he said.
Utomi also argued that age limits should be set for presidential candidates, capped at 70 years, saying many candidates viewed the office of the president as a “retirement home”, while criticising the administrations of former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu.
“Something important about this election to bear in mind is that the Nigerian presidency has become a retirement home where people go for the Nigerian state to pay their medical bills. It is not acceptable.
“They don’t have the fitness to run the country. The last one, and the current one, have essentially been government-in-absentia leaders.
“I, Pat Utomi, am insisting that I will canvass to the Nigerian people that nobody over the age of 70 should run for an executive position, whether it be governor or president,” he concluded. https://punchng.com/ill-withdraw-support-if-peter-obi-runs-as-vp-in-2027-utomi/
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| Politics › Re: Northern Elders Urge Nigerians To Oppose FG’s ‘Reckless’ Borrowings by ogododo(op): 11:59pm On Dec 31, 2025 |
Nawa oo |
| Politics › Re: Northern Elders Urge Nigerians To Oppose FG’s ‘Reckless’ Borrowings by ogododo(op): 5:35pm On Dec 31, 2025 |
Nawa oo, dem wan join taxes with it. |
| Politics › Re: Nigeria’s Oil Output Drops 5.9% To 1.599 Million BPD by ogododo(op): 12:52pm On Dec 31, 2025 |
Nawa Nlfpmod. How we go see money spend. BAT na negative news he dey bring. |
| Politics › Re: Northern Elders Urge Nigerians To Oppose FG’s ‘Reckless’ Borrowings by ogododo(op): 12:51pm On Dec 31, 2025 |
Nawa Nlfpmod. |
| Politics › Nigeria’s Oil Output Drops 5.9% To 1.599 Million BPD by ogododo(op): 12:17pm On Dec 31, 2025 |
Nigeria’s oil output dropped year-on-year (YoY) to 1.599 million barrels per day (bpd), including condensate, in November 2025 from 1.698 million bpd in the corresponding period of 2024, indicating a decrease of 5.9 percent.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) disclosed this in its December 2025 Crude Oil and Condensate Production report.
However, on a month-on-month (MoM) basis, the nation’s oil output, including condensate, dropped to 1.599 million bpd in November 2025 from 1.698 million bpd in October 2025.
According to the report, “Lowest and Peak Combined crude oil and condensate production in November were 1.54 million bopd and 1.79 million bopd respectively.
“The average crude oil production of November was 96% of OPEC quota (1.5 mbpd). Daily average production in November was 1,599,054 barrels per day, comprising both crude oil (1,436,005 bopd) and condensate (163,049 bopd).” https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/just-in-nigerias-oil-output-drops-5-9-to-1-599m-bpd/
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| Politics › Northern Elders Urge Nigerians To Oppose FG’s ‘Reckless’ Borrowings by ogododo(op): 8:20am On Dec 31, 2025 |
Northern Elders Forum has urged Nigerians to speak out against the “reckless” and “unsustainable” borrowings by the federal government
Northern Elders Forum (NEF) called on Nigerians to speak out against what it described as reckless and unsustainable borrowings by the federal government, warning that the country’s economic future is being dangerously mortgaged.
In an open letter addressed to Nigerians, NEF said silence in the face of mounting public debt amounted to complicity. It stressed that the country was no longer dealing with routine fiscal decisions but a pattern of borrowing marked by weak accountability and democratic neglect.
In the letter signed by NEF spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jiddere, the group expressed concern over the federal government’s reported move to secure an additional N17.89 trillion loan to fund the 2026 budget, even though the budget had not been debated by the National Assembly.
The forum said the fresh loan request came against the backdrop of a troubling borrowing record since mid-2023, with little evidence of commensurate delivery of capital projects across the country.
NEF outlined what it described as a “record that demands answers”, citing figures reportedly drawn from public records and media reports.
It stated that in 2023, the Tinubu administration borrowed N2.17 trillion for supplemental capital projects, with about 70 per cent of the intended outcomes reportedly achieved.
For 2024, the forum said the federal government borrowed $21.5 billion, €2.2 billion, and ¥15 billion to fund capital projects, yet only about 30 per cent of the capital targets were reportedly met.
The situation, according to the elders, worsened in 2025, when borrowings escalated to include $2.347 billion, $347 million, €4 billion, N1.15 trillion, and a $500 million Sukuk bond.
As of December 11, 2025, the forum claimed that none of the capital projects linked to the loans had been implemented.
It said, “Despite this record, the federal government is now pressing for another N17.89 trillion loan to fund the 2026 budget. This trajectory is neither normal nor sustainable.”
NEF also criticised the National Assembly, accusing it of abdicating its constitutional responsibility by allegedly approving loan requests without rigorous scrutiny.
The forum lamented that loans approved since mid-2023 were not subjected to transparent, line-by-line assessments of budget performance, project execution, value for money or socio-economic impact. https://www.arise.tv/northern-elders-urge-nigerians-to-oppose-fgs-reckless-borrowings/
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