FEATURES
Nigerian Afrobeats singer, Tiwa Savage, has asserted that hardship in the country is responsible for the huge amount of entertainers being churning out.
The singer made this known during an interview on the ‘Shopping The Sneakers’ podcast.
According to Tiwa Savage, serving in Nigeria is difficult, and artists are just like hustlers.
She said, “When you come to Nigeria, you will understand why we breed so many superstars. To survive in Nigeria is something else so that’s why the artists that come out of Nigeria are just like hustlers. They are just hustling.”
Former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has expressed appreciation to his wife, Dolapo, as they celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary.
Naija News reports that the former presidential aspirant took to his Instagram page to share adorable photos of himself and his wife, including their children.
Osinbajo also thanked his wife for her willingness to give up everything for him and their children.
He added that Dolapo had written several books, run several national prayer meetings, run shelters for vulnerable women, trained thousands of young people in different skills, crocheted a storm, and developed numerous gardens.
He wrote, “My darling @dolapoosinbajo , every year of these 35 years you’ve proved that true love is not a myth or a fanciful phrase—through your willingness to give up everything for me and our children, through your generosity with your time, skills, and great faith by which you have helped us all navigate our sometimes bewildering journeys.
“In all of this, you’ve written several books, run several national prayer meetings, run shelters for vulnerable women, trained thousands of young people in different skills, crocheted a storm, and developed numerous gardens!
“I thank God daily for the gift of you to me. I love you always Dolly. Happy 35th Anniversary.”
Kano State lawmaker, Abdulmumin Jibrin has assured that the National Assembly will soon approve President Bola Tinubu‘s tax reform bills, despite recent opposition from the Northern Elders Forum.
Jibrin, who chairs the House Committee on Housing and Habitat, disclosed this during an interview on Politics Today aired by Television Continental on Sunday.
The bills, which aim to introduce sweeping changes to Nigeria’s tax system, have sparked widespread debate, with critics arguing that the reforms could disproportionately impact certain regions.
Jibrin, however highlighted that the tax reforms, alongside Tinubu’s broader economic policies, are designed to secure a brighter future for Nigerians.
“I have no doubts about the approval and passage of the tax reform bills. We are committed to ensuring they go through,” Jibrin affirmed.
Naija News reports that the Tax Reform Bills have faced pushback from some state governors, particularly from the northern region, who argue that the proposed derivation-based VAT distribution model would disproportionately disadvantage their states.
Acknowledging resistance to the bills, particularly in northern Nigeria, Jibrin noted that efforts are ongoing to clarify misconceptions and demonstrate their necessity.
“For those of us who have studied the bills comprehensively, the benefits outweigh any perceived drawbacks.
“Misconceptions about these reforms largely stem from misinformation being spread,” he explained.
The lawmaker further emphasized that the reforms aim to boost revenue generation and ensure equitable distribution to strengthen Nigeria’s economic stability.
Jibrin stressed that contentious aspects of the bills should be debated and adjusted where necessary, rather than being outrightly dismissed.
“Since the bills are now before the National Assembly, it is our responsibility to scrutinise them thoroughly. Any contentious clauses can be reviewed and adjusted, as the bills are not immutable,” he added.
Reflecting on recent economic measures such as the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange market unification, Jibrin highlighted their transformative potential.
While acknowledging the immediate challenges posed by these reforms, he expressed optimism about their long-term benefits.
“President Tinubu is making sacrifices today for the sake of a better tomorrow for all Nigerians.
“His courageous reforms are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient economy,” he concluded.
Former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has condemned the President Bola Tinubu administration’s removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, describing the policies as detrimental to Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Ologbondiyan argued that a phased subsidy removal combined with effective palliatives, such as subsidised public transportation, would have been a more viable approach.
He criticised the administration for prioritising subsidised rice instead of addressing broader issues affecting Nigerians.
The former PDP spokesperson expressed dissatisfaction with the PDP’s lack of robust engagement with the government, saying more alternatives should be presented to address the country’s challenges.
His remarks followed a PDP governors‘ meeting over the weekend, during which they urged President Tinubu to reform the economy.
“Basically, I as Kola Ologbodiyan, subscribe to the ideas as laid down by the original founders of the party.
“For instance, let’s take the issue of the removal of subsidy, because what has brought Nigeria to its knees has been these two major decisions made by President Bola Tinubu, particularly on the subsidy and removal of the naira.
“But under the PDP leadership in the time past- I am aware that what we had was a phased subsidy removal, which also came with palliatives. The APC has said Nigerians should go and buy rice at ₦40,000 per bag. But the needs of Nigerians go beyond rice. So, I believe the policies could also be better if we have a public transport system where you and I won’t have to drive our vehicles at a subsidised rate.
“But the unfortunate thing as we are witnessing today is that we are paying lip service, even as PDP to engaging the sitting government on its reforms, to put forward alternatives,” Ologbondiyan said.
Since the removal of the petrol subsidy, the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has surged from an average of ₦189 per litre in May 2023, when President Tinubu assumed office, to over ₦1,000 per litre in recent months.
Former Governor of Anambra State, Chris Ngige, has said the Supreme Court made an error in its judgment on financial autonomy for local governments.
Ngige accused local council chairmen of being too corrupt than governors. He stated that most council chairmen crave to acquire choice estates in Abuja, Lagos and other Western nations.
The Labour and Employment Minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari argued that the Supreme Court judgment was in neglect of Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Ngige stated this at the weekend in Enugu on the topic ‘Local Government Administration and Primary Healthcare’, during the 29th annual general meeting (AGM) and scientific conference of the Association of Urological Surgeons, Nigeria (NAUS).
He noted that more than “15,000 primary healthcare centers were built across the country as constituency projects”, stressing the need for the State Economic Planning Boards to ensure that the abandoned healthcare centers were revamped as quickly as possible.
He noted that the “local government system remained pivotal to basic healthcare system, which former Minister of Health, Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, transformed into primary healthcare system”.
Senator Ngige further explained council chairmen’s desire for luxury affects building public health centers and schools in their areas and owing teachers several months of salary arrears and allowances.
“The same Supreme Court, in 2006, made a pronouncement in which it warned the Federal Government against dictating to the states how to spend local government funds accruable to them.
“The previous Supreme Court ruling when Justice Mohammed Uwais was the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) was pronounced in a case filed by three state governments – Lagos, Abia, and Delta – through their attorneys general, challenging then President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Local Government Account Monitoring Committee Act 2005,” the Nation quoted him.
He emphasized the need to implement statutory first-line deductions for the payment of salaries and wages of council workers, pensions and gratuities, traditional rulers’ entitlements and customary courts’ allowances before paying federal allocation directly to local government chairmen.
He added that the local government system would start working when governors obeyed the law, and the Houses of Assembly became aware of their responsibilities, including calling erring governors to order.
The former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has described Atiku Abubakar as a man dedicated to fostering national unity.
The Senator of Sokoto South District said this while celebrating Atiku as he marked his 78 years birthday on Monday (today).
Tambuwal stated that the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through his vision and commitment to democratic values has left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political landscape.
His congratulatory message read: “On behalf of myself and my family, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to His Excellency, GCON (Wazirin Adamawa), former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the occasion of his 78th birthday.
“Your Excellency, as you celebrate this significant milestone, it is an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable contributions you have made to the growth and development of our great nation. Your leadership has been a beacon of hope, resilience, and selfless service to the people of Nigeria. Through your vision, statesmanship, and unwavering commitment to democratic values, you have left an indelible mark on our political landscape.
“Your dedication to fostering national unity, advancing economic reform, and improving governance continues to inspire many, and your legacy of service is one that will endure generations to come.
“As you mark this special day, I join your well-wishers across the country in celebrating not only your longevity but also the remarkable impact you have had on the advancement of our nation. May this new year bring you continued good health, happiness, and success in all your endeavours.
“Once again, Your Excellency, happy 78th birthday. Nigeria is deeply grateful for your outstanding contributions to our collective progress.”
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has distanced itself from speculations and endorsements related to the 2027 governorship election, stating that such discussions are premature and not on its agenda.
There had been speculations that Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu and the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, have governorship ambitions.
In an interview with Daily Trust, the APC’s State Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, attributed the unfolding drama to opposition parties attempting to create unnecessary controversy.
Oladejo said, “The party has not spoken about the 2027 election. This is the time for impactful governance, not needless politicking to heat the polity.”
He added that there is no clash between Seyi Tinubu, Obasa, or any other potential aspirants within the party.
“I cannot recall any part of the speaker’s speech that drew a battle line with Seyi Tinubu or anyone else. This is simply the opposition trying to play up the situation to create unnecessary sentiment,” he said.
Oladejo also emphasised that the party focuses on its forthcoming congress and local government elections in 2025, urging members to prioritise unity and progress.
But reacting, the Chairman of the PDP in Lagos, Philip Aivoji, denied the party’s involvement in the alleged endorsements.
“Somebody has answered from APC that Lagos governorship is not a child’s play. What do you want me to say about it again? It’s not my party. People can insinuate anything,” Aivoji said.
When asked about Oladejo’s allegation against opposition parties, he said, “Well, I am not the one behind it. Anyone that is behind such evil against Lagos State, that person is on his own.”
The Senate recently passed a resolution after purportedly relying on Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution to authorize President Bola Tinubu to dismiss the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Mr Danladi Umar.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Bamidele Opeyemi (APC-Ekiti).
“The Senate is aware of the overwhelming allegations against the Chairman. Mr President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has forwarded Mr Abdullahi Usman Bello’s name to the Senate for confirmation as the new chairman of the tribunal. The Senate plenary on Thursday, July 4, 2024, confirmed Bello’s appointment, thus necessitating the erstwhile chairman to vacate the office for the new Chairman to assume duties officially,” Senator Bamidele said.
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, explained that the resolution was backed by 72 senators who registered their support at plenary and ten others engaged in committee meetings, making 82 senators.
However, a fact-check conducted by PR Nigeria found some lapses in the processes followed by the Senate to clear the road for the removal of the CCT boss.
The medium reviewed Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution to assess the constitutional basis cited by the Senate. This section pertains specifically to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and not the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), which are distinct entities.
Section 157(1) states: “Subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, a person holding any of the offices to which this section applies may only be removed from that office by the President acting on an address supported by a two-thirds majority of the Senate…”
Subsection (2) further clarifies that this applies to specific positions, including those in the “Code of Conduct Bureau, Federal Civil Service Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, and other executive bodies,” explicitly omitting the CCT, which operates within the judicial branch of government.
The Fact-Check revealed that instead of Section 157, the removal of the chairman or members of the CCT is governed by Paragraph 17(3) of the 5th Schedule to the 1999 Constitution as amended. This provision states: “A person holding the office of Chairman or member of the Code of Conduct Tribunal shall not be removed from his office or appointment by the President except upon an address supported by a two-thirds majority of each House of the National Assembly praying that he be so removed…. for contravention of this Code.”
Thus, the President can only remove such officials based on an address supported by a two-thirds majority from both Houses of the National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives).
Another error on new appointment
The Fact-Check also showed that the senators equally misrepresented Mr Abdullahi Usman Bello’s appointment. Mr. Bello was appointed as Chairman of the CCB based on his qualifications as a forensic accountant and was cleared for that role by the Senate.
The appointment of the CCT Chairman is detailed in Paragraph 15 of the 5th Schedule to the Constitution: “The Chairman shall be a person who has held or is qualified to hold office as a Judge of a superior court of record in Nigeria… The President shall appoint the Chairman and members of the Code of Conduct Tribunal on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).” Therefore, this cannot apply to Bello, who lacks the requisite judicial qualifications.
The Senators, therefore, erred in their assertion that their actions would facilitate Mr Abdullahi Usman Bello’s appointment as the new Chairman of the CCT. They overlooked that Bello currently serves as Chairman of the CCB, as President Tinubu recommended and by which the Senate themselves cleared him for that purpose.
Speaking to PRNigeria, a legal practitioner Yunus AbdulSalam, SAN, said: “The fact that the import of Section 157(2) of the Constitution eluded our lawmakers in the Senate is alarming and reflects poorly on our constitutional democracy. It sadly highlights a troubling lack of diligence and meticulous scrutiny in their legislative processes.”
[DailyTrust]
There is currently no end in sight to the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The move to remove the acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum has continued to suffer setbacks following the continuous postponements of the National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting.
DAILY POST reports that for the umpteenth time, the main opposition party on Friday postponed its proposed NEC meeting meant to discuss some issues bedeviling the party and present a substantive National Chairman that would take over from Damagum and complete the tenure of the suspended Iyorchia Ayu.
Recall that at the 98th NEC meeting on April 18, the NEC fixed August 15 to resolve all lingering issues, but unfortunately, it was postponed and rescheduled for October 24.
As the plot to oust Damagum thickened, the meeting was further shifted from October 24 to November 28.
According to the party, the move was to ensure that it goes into the recently concluded Ondo gubernatorial elections with the unity and strength demanded to unseat the All Progressive Congress, APC, government in the state.
However, the hope to end the crisis rocking the party was again dashed on Friday when the PDP National Secretary, Sen Samuel Anyanwu announced the indefinite postponement of the much anticipated NEC meeting.
According to the party, the decision was taken to enable party leadership to attend the funeral of the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, wife of Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno. The funeral is scheduled for November 27th-29th, 2024.
The development did not go well with some party members, who are alleging that the Damagum-led NWC was deliberately postponing the meeting to keep him on the seat until the party’s national convention scheduled for next year.
DAILY POST gathered that at least four out of the 13 Governors elected under the platform of the PDP are strongly behind Damagum, who is also a loyalist of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.
About six others from the camp of the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar have also vowed to kick the acting chairman out of the office before March 2025.
NEC postponement disrespect for the constitutional order of the party – North Central
Some party stakeholders from the North Central geo-political zone said the continuous postponement of the NEC by the Damagum’s NWC was against the party’s constitution.
A NEC member from the region and former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, who addressed North Central youths in Abuja, said the development was an “aberration that shows a huge disrespect for the constitutional order of the party.”
According to him, “it is trite wisdom that as long as Damagum is being encouraged to continue to sit on the position of North Central, the concept of fixing the PDP will be mere lip service. “
He stated that respecting the party’s constitution by allowing a member from the North Central to complete Ayu’s tenure was the “only way to address the challenges facing the PDP and also fixing Nigeria.
“Anything outside of this demand will end up an exercise in futility,” he warned.
They want to officially hand PDP to APC – Rep Ugochinyere
A member of the House of Representatives, Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo) while reacting to the indefinite postponement, accused the NWC of making moves to collapse the main opposition party into the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
In a post on his official X handle, the lawmaker alleged that Damagum, and the National Secretary secretly met with the ruling party recently.
The lawmaker said the alleged meeting signals an irredeemable doom in the party, calling for the immediate removal of those involved in anti-party activities.
He wrote, “When the national chairman and secretary of a political party meet secretly with the ruling govt, you will know that irredeemable doom awaits that political party if they don’t rise and chase these political outlaws away.
“Now they want to officially handover the PDP to the APC without any shame just for a pot of porridge.
“The end story of ANPP, AD will be better than PDP if we don’t stop these shameless political traitors”.
When the PDP governors are ready to remove Damagum, they know what to do – PDP chieftain, Okai
Meanwhile, a chieftain of the party, Austin Okai told DAILY POST on Saturday that the leadership crisis in the party continued lingering due to the 2027 ambition of some of the PDP governors.
The Kogi-born political activist accused the governors of playing double standards, stressing that they are both fighting for their selfish interests.
According to him, “both the acting National Chairman and the National Secretary have to go; they are not doing anything. We also don’t have a national legal adviser at the moment. None of them are currently functioning.
“Some of us from the North Central have fought for Damagum’s removal to allow a member from the region to take over but we were not supported by the leaders. I am one of the North Central stakeholders and nobody is calling us for any meeting.
“The governor of Plateau State and the former governors are supposed to hold meetings but they are not doing anything. When Bala Mohammed was pushing for Damagum’s removal, some of the leaders were silent.
“They are fighting for 2027. Some of the governors are either eyeing the presidency or vice presidency. They forget that they need to first put the interest of the party at heart.
“So if the governors are really serious, they know what to do. They are obviously not serious yet.”
Okai, however, stated that “what some of the governors are doing is to ensure that they bring in a neutral person to replace Damagum. Somebody who is not a loyalist of Atiku or Wike.”
He admitted that “there is a hand of APC in all these issues. Some of these governors are meeting with the president. The president knows that he is performing badly and if PDP is doing well, he will have a problem.
“They are destroying PDP, Labour Party and even the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP. Our party is currently losing relevance because the public sees Damagum as a part of the APC.
“Damagum must go but the governors should do the needful, they should stop the politics for 2027 and fix the party first”.
However, the PDP governors rose from their meeting on Saturday with a “strong advice” for the Umar Damagum-led NWC to call for the NEC meeting of the party latest by February.
A communique read to journalists by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who is also the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, said, “The Forum is strongly advising the NWC to call NEC latest by the first week of February 2025 to allow for elaborate consultations with critical stakeholders of the Party.
“The period between November and February is to address the existential problems confronting the Party, with a deliberate timeline of activities within the period under review to address issues of leadership and litigations confronting the party.”
[DailyPost]
A slash in the pump price of petrol is likely following Dangote Refinery’s reduction of its ex-depot price from N990 to N970 per litre.
The refinery conveyed the new price regime in a statement by its Group Chief Branding and Communication Officer, Anthony Chiejina.
The statement said: “Dangote Petroleum Refinery has effected a reduction in the prevailing price of its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N990/litre to N970/Iitre for the marketers.
“As the year comes to an end, this is our way of appreciating the good people of Nigeria for their unwavering support in making the Refinery a dream come true.
“In addition, this is to thank the government for their support as this will complement the measures put in place to encourage domestic enterprise for our collective wellbeing.
“While the refinery would not compromise on the quality of its petroleum products, we assure you of best quality products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
“We are determined to keep ramping up production meet and surpass our domestic fuel consumption; thus, dispelling any fear of a shortfall in supply.”
As at yesterday, a litre of petrol sold for between N1,080 and N,1,090 at stations operated by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) members in Lagos.
Major marketers sold it for between N1,060 and N1,080.
A litre of petrol was selling for N1,025 at NNPCL-run retail outlets as at yesterday.
The N20 cut in the Dangote Refinery’s ex-depot price is expected to reflect at the pumps soon.
PETROL retail marketers said they would respond to the cut accordingly.
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners of Nigeria (PETROAN) said it will work out the logistics before arriving at new pump prices following the reduction from the Dangote Refinery.
PETROAN National President Dr. Billy Harry said since it has to do with real value, the association will not rely on an armchair projection.
Asked how soon his members would respond to the ex-depot price cut, he said they would still meet with the management of the refinery before effecting the change.
He said: We cannot tell you now before the reduction we will work out the logistics and a lower price and the retail outlets will come up.
“We have to work out the logistics first. It is not an armchair projection. It is of real value. PETROAN is having a meeting with Dangote.”
The refinery and the association have been in talks on modalities for selling products to them directly instead of going through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), National President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi could not be reached up till last night.
Last month, promoter of the refinery Aliko Dangote and President/Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, said his refinery had more than 500 million litres of petrol in stock.
Earlier this month, IPMAN called on the refinery to engage stakeholders and review its pricing strategy, saying the refinery prices were higher than other suppliers, making it difficult for independent marketers to sell products.
But last week, IPMAN reached a truce with the refinery to directly lift petroleum products for distribution to its members’ depots and retail outlets across the country.
[TheNation]
More...
• Loan is an extra burden on government, Nigerians, minority caucus warns
• We will approve loan and ensure it is not diverted – Deputy spokesman
A showdown looms in the House of Representatives this week between lawmakers elected on the platform of the ruling party and their opposition counterparts over the $2.2m (N1.77tn) loan request by President Bola Tinubu.
This is as the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Mr Philip Agbese has declared that the Green Chamber will have no trouble approving external borrowing request from President Bola Tinubu, Deputy Spokesman of the Green Chamber, Congressman Philip Agbese has said.
President Tinubu’s loan request was contained in a letter transmitted to the parliament and read by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, during Tuesday’s plenary.
If approved, the President said the loan would fund the N9.7tn deficit in the 2024 budget.
The Senate has already approved the loan request, with the House expected to debate same ahead of its approval later in the week.
Speaking exclusively with The PUNCH on Sunday, the Benue lawmaker who doubles as the Deputy Chairman, the Committee on Media and Publicity, advanced reasons the House will not hesitate to follow the footsteps of the Senate in granting the request of the President to borrow externally to fund the budget deficit.
According to him, the House will approve the loan request as long as it is meant for the execution of capital projects across the country as stipulated in the letter transmitted to the National Assembly by the President.
“The Tinubu-led government has been prudent with our resources. We will approve the loan request without hesitation,” he said, adding that the request will be treated in conformity with standing procedures.
“I can tell you that the relevant Standing Committees have commenced scrutiny of the loan request ahead of the consideration by the House. But I assure Nigerians that as their representatives, we will abide by strict standard procedures in doing our job as far as this request is concerned,” he said.
Debt burden
Although Nigeria’s total public debt currently stands at N136tn, Agbese justified the President’s quest to borrow more, saying, “The kind of critical infrastructure we have seen the current government investing their scarce resources on are encouraging. From the Honourable Minister of Finance to the Accountant General’s Office, we have seen fiscal policies that aim to safeguard taxpayers’ resources.”
He added that just as past approvals by the parliament were done in line with due consultation with other relevant stakeholders and experts, “The situation would not be different this time.”
On what has changed since the inauguration of the incumbent All Progressives Congress-led administration, Agbese who represents Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency of Benue State, noted that “the executive is enhancing our budget system in terms of priorities.”
While declaring that “it may not be far from the truth that past administrations took foreign loans to spend on disposables,” he insisted that “the 10th parliament is carrying out its oversight functions to see that every penny counts in the overall interest of our people.”
‘Govs change stand’
Reacting to an exclusive report by The PUNCH quoting some lawmakers saying that some state governors appeared to have changed their rigid stand on Tinubu’s tax reform bill, now before the parliament for consideration, the lawmaker added that the resilience of legislators may have informed the development.
“Many (governors) are doing so because they have seen the resilience of the parliament to do what is right for Nigerians. This is what you get where there’s patriotism above personal and selfish interest of just a few entities.
“The House of Representatives under the leadership of Rt Hon Tajudeen Abass has done something novel and Nigerians are equally commending his leadership. There’s no doubt that our approach to inviting the key drivers of the tax reforms in Nigeria and doing so at the same time with our in-house experts, has changed the narrative completely in Nigeria,” he added.
In a veiled jibe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who in July described the National Assembly as an enabler of executive recklessness, Agbese said Nigerians “don’t take him seriously, so, the parliament won’t be bothered about his opinion which was probably expressed from abroad or somewhere in Dubai.
“The only time that politician won an election was when another candidate from the south carried him on his back as a running mate. The only thing he sees about Nigeria is when an election will take place.”
The lawmaker assured Nigerians that when granted, the loan would be used for the intended purpose, saying, “The House of Representatives will ensure that such monies if approved are not diverted. What we understand the President is doing is repositioning critical institutions for optimum performance as well as delivering on infrastructure that will stand the test of time.
“It’s possible to extend the lifespan of the 2024 budget to ensure that ongoing critical projects receive the desired attention and are completed.”
Also speaking, an APC lawmaker from Imo State, Chike Okafor, said the loan request by the President was in order.
He said, “Our country in the past years suffered from under-investment in the very critical sectors that stimulate the economy. How much of our resources go to funding/financing infrastructure in such critical things like roads, health, education, and agriculture? Any economy that fails to sustain good investment in the above critical sections of the economy is creating short and long-term deficits in those areas.
“What do you do if/when your current revenue and receipts are inadequate to fund the necessary and required investments necessary to sustain the stimulation of your commerce and economy? You resort to borrowing, especially if/when you reserve the capacity to do so.”
He added, “What I do not support is borrowing to fund ordinary appetite. By this, I mean borrowing just to fund recurrent expenditures. Once a borrowing is geared towards the funding of critical capital items, then we’re moving in the right direction.”
Minority caucus warns
Meanwhile, the minority caucus of the House of Representatives has warned that the provision for deficit financing in the 2024 budget is not automatic, adding that borrowing should be the last option rather than the first resort.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Sunday, the leader of the Minority Caucus in the House, Kingsley Chinda, said, “We no doubt provided for the executive to borrow in the 2024 budget, but it’s not automatic. Borrowing should not be the first resort. It should be the last option, particularly when borrowing with interest.”
Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency of Rivers State, added that in activating the loan option, some questions need to be asked.
“What did we get as income, and how was it applied that we required borrowing? What efforts have we made to raise funds without borrowing and what are the results? Is the borrowing very necessary?”
He added, “What are the specific projects you intend to fund with the money? What are your repayment plans? This information must be cogent and verifiable.”
The Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker noted that “it is only when these questions are answered positively that we can consider the loan,” or else, “The loan will be an additional burden on the government, and the people of Nigeria and should be avoided as a fish should avoid a bait.”
On his part, the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Bamidele Salam, gave a condition to support the loan approval.
“I personally think that the best approach is to scrutinise the loan request. I will only support it if the loan terms are favourable and only if the money will be spent on urgent critical infrastructure for which funding cannot be sourced elsewhere,” he said.
Debt profile worrisome
On his part, a Labour Party federal lawmaker from Anambra State, Afam Oghene, also expressed worry over the nation’s growing debt profile.
He told The PUNCH, “Many Nigerians are worried about the Presidency’s repeated requests for loan approvals, as well as the country’s growing loan profile. The concern is not just about the loans themselves, but also about the transparency and integrity of how the funds are being deployed and the projects they are attached to.”
Oghene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State, stated, “As of June 30, 2024, Nigeria’s total public debt stock stood at N87.38tn ($113.42bn). This is a significant increase from previous years, and it is understandable that many Nigerians are uneasy about the trend.”
He added that the opposition would continue to ask relevant questions in relation to the demands for good governance.
“The opposition parties are right to question the propriety of these loans, especially given the country’s economic difficulties. But you know that in a democracy, the majority always has its way. Regardless, it is crucial that the government exercises prudence and discipline in handling public funds and ensures accountability and integrity in managing the country’s wealth.
“Ultimately, however, it is up to the government to address these concerns and provide transparency about the loans and how they’re being used. As citizens, it is essential to continue demanding accountability and ensuring that the country’s resources are being managed in the best interest of the people,” he stated.
Oghene added, “As it stands today, it is the President Tinubu-led administration that exercises the mandate of the people until 2027, and all we can do, as opposition political leaders, is to offer alternate viewpoints regarding government policies and actions, so that the citizenry would, going forward, be in a position to make informed decisions when the next election cycle comes.
“In the Labour Party, we have always propagated the concept of borrowing for productive purposes, rather than for consumption. For instance, what specific projects are the latest borrowing plans tied to? In the face of the current hardship occasioned by the subsidy removal regime, would the people be subjected to further impoverishment, or will the loans be channelled to the economic rejuvenation of the country?”
[Punch]
Elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark has accused former President Muhammadu Buhari of oppressing and humiliating former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, to secure re-election in 2019.
Clark alleged that Buhari, in collaboration with his then Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), orchestrated Onnoghen’s removal to facilitate their agenda during the election.
In a letter addressed to the current CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Sunday, Clark praised the Court of Appeal for acquitting Onnoghen of false asset declaration charges, a case he described as unjust. He condemned the circumstances surrounding Onnoghen’s suspension, which he said violated constitutional provisions requiring the involvement of the National Judicial Council and the National Assembly in such decisions.
Reflecting on the 2019 election, Clark claimed that Onnoghen’s removal was planned to eliminate any opposition to alleged manipulations.
He said, “As for the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, in his own case, ‘a Daniel has come to judgment’. I knew he was not fairly treated; he was oppressed and humiliated by President Muhammadu Buhari and his Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
“At this juncture, let me say this: President Tinubu’s government must not allow sacred cows to exist in Nigeria, no matter whose ox is gored. There is no one who is above the law in his own country. A president of a country is just one of the ordinary members in the country, but once elected, enjoys immunity. There is nowhere therefore in the constitution or any legal document where it is stated that immunity is for life.
“Today in Nigeria, we have corrupt Presidents and some of them today are accusing their successors of corruption without looking back at what they themselves stole while in office but no one dares to touch them. Perhaps, it is an irony of fate for the former CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, who was one of the Supreme Court Justices whose judgment favored President Muhammadu Buhari in his presidential election case in the Supreme Court in 2011.”
“He (Buhari) allowed him to rise to the post of CJN but he saw that, that was not good enough for him because if Justice Onnoghen was to remain the CJN, the mess and mischievous things they wanted to carry out during the presidential election in 2019, Justice Onnoghen would not accept it and the best thing was to remove him, and this was the secret plan between President Buhari and his Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
“The show of shame that took place at the time was so disgraceful, callous, unjust and so barbaric that instead the President of Nigeria, who swore to an oath of office that he would maintain security and welfare of Nigerians, chose to stoop so low in order to humiliate a fellow Nigerian because he wanted to be President of Nigeria at all costs for a second term. It is a shame which Nigeria has just recovered from,” he stated.
[Vanguard]
Amid allegations of intense lobbying by the Presidency, some lawmakers in the National Assembly have reaffirmed their decision to oppose the Tax Reform Bills presented by President Bola Tinubu, prioritizing the interests of their constituents over external pressures.
The bills, which aim to introduce sweeping changes to Nigeria’s tax system, have sparked widespread debate, with critics arguing that the reforms could disproportionately impact certain regions.
Speaking to Daily Trust on Sunday, Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila (Kano South) emphasized that his allegiance remains with his constituents.
“I am not aware of any pressure, but as I told you last week, we are studying the bill as usual and liaising with our constituents and relevant stakeholders to understand their feelings and views. It is the people’s views and will that will prevail in the end. This is what will happen,” he said.
Rep. Kwamoti Bitrus Laori (Demsa/Lamurde/Numan Federal Constituency, Adamawa) echoed a similar sentiment, emphasising that the welfare of his constituents remained his top priority.
“First and foremost, I was elected to represent a constituency, and that constituency is part of a larger state. So, as a caucus, we have to sit down and dissect the bill, know what is good for the state, and know what is good for our people, and then we will now take a position. That is my stand on this; whether there is pressure any where, is not my business. Those who are putting the pressure did not elect me; those who elect me are those who matter.
“We have sent the feelers to our constituencies. Look, this is what is happening; what position are we going to take? The feedback that we get from our constituencies, we will sit down and aggregate them, and that will be our position,” the PDP lawmaker said.
Also, Rep. Bappah Aliyu Misau (Misau/Dambam Federal Constituency, Bauchi) said, like his governor, he strongly opposed the tax reforms, declaring that lawmakers from Bauchi State, alongside their governor, would not support the bills.
Misau stressed that northern lawmakers were united in their stance against the reforms, as the proposed changes did not benefit their constituents.
“The presidency cannot pressure us; they didn’t elect us. This is about protecting the average person in Bauchi. No member from Bauchi will support this bill,” Misau stated.
He added: “You know how the Parliament works. You can say your opinion and make your stand known. The minority voices would be heard, but the majority voice prevails. Since that is always the case, then there will be a problem. They may do something else. But I am telling you, every patriotic Northern lawmaker is against it.
“Even the few lawmakers that are advocating for this bill are those who don’t even go to their constituencies. They are anti-north.”
Another lawmaker, who asked not to be named, said if the presidency was eager to get the buy-in of northern leaders, it needed to disabuse their minds on the derivation clause in the new bill by presenting a template to show how the VAT would be shared from January.
The lawmaker said, “They need to give the details with a template of how the Derivation Clause would impact the sharing formula. They should go beyond telling us that only three states are benefiting from the current sharing formula to show all the states how the new formula will be.”
Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, says almost all Nigerian presidents came into power through unpredictable circumstances.
Kukah spoke in Abuja on Sunday while delivering the keynote speech at the fourth Amaka Ndoma-Egba memorial lecture, ‘Leaders of tomorrow: Creating lasting change in a complex world’.
The Catholic Bishop noted that despite President Bola Tinubu’s claim of being prepared, he still struggles to lead the country.
Kukah added that Nigerian leaders, both past and present, lack adequate knowledge and preparation to lead a country.
“If we look at Nigeria’s leadership journey, you will find that almost every leader who came to power did so by accident,” Kukah said.
“President Tinubu, despite claiming to be prepared for the role, is clearly struggling. We are still trying to find our footing.
“He took over from Buhari, who had already disengaged from governance. Buhari succeeded Jonathan, a man who never envisioned himself as president but was thrust into leadership due to circumstances.
“Jonathan took over from Yar’Adua, who planned to return to teaching after his governorship.
“Yar’Adua succeeded Obasanjo, who was unexpectedly released from prison to become president.
“Before that, Obasanjo replaced Abacha, who was poised to rule indefinitely until nature intervened.
“Abacha followed Shonekan, a business executive abruptly drafted to lead the country. The cycle is evident, and the missing link in all of this is knowledge and preparation.”
[TheCable]