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The Minister of Water Resources, Professor Joseph Utsev, has expressed concern over funding challenges in a bid to address Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2030.
During a press briefing in Abuja last weekend, Utsev stated that while the initiative required an annual budget of ₦10 billion, only ₦5 billion had been released so far.
According to him, Nigeria requires an additional 11.6 million toilets to achieve the ODF goal. He emphasized that reaching ODF status encompasses more than merely constructing toilets.
Utsev acknowledged that significant advancements had been made, yet ensuring both access to and the appropriate utilization of these facilities continues to pose a significant challenge.
“The challenge is not only the number of toilets available but also raising awareness and encouraging their consistent use.
“This is why we are elevating the campaign to a higher level. The vice president will lead the relaunch of our strategy in a more impactful way,” he said.
The Minister further stated that development partners like UNICEF had made significant contributions by providing toilet facilities, training and awareness campaigns.
“Our partners do not provide funds directly but support through the supply of toilets and training programmes, their efforts have been invaluable in driving this campaign forward,” he said.
Since the campaign’s initiation in 2019, Utsev stated that 135 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and more than 30,000 communities have attained Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, with additional regions currently in the verification process.
He emphasized that, notwithstanding these accomplishments, the journey towards achieving universal sanitation is still extensive, particularly in underserved and vulnerable communities.
“Ending open defecation is about more than toilets, it’s about improving health, boosting productivity, and enhancing the dignity and safety of our citizens,” the minister emphasised.
Naija News understands that the event was part of activities marking the 2024 World Toilet Day with the theme ‘Sanitation for Peace,’ which underscores the significance of toilets as symbols of safety, dignity and development.
Govs Threatening Reps To Withdraw Support For Tinubu’s VAT Bill Or Lose 2027 Tickets – Spokesman
AFOLABI
The deputy spokesman for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said that some state governors are threatening to deny federal lawmakers return tickets in 2027 if they don’t withdraw their support for President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills.
Recall that in September the President had submitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration, following the recommendations of the Oyedele-led tax reforms committee.
The bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.
Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.
The 36 state governors have, however, demanded the withdrawal of the executive bills, citing the need for more consultation and public input.
Agbese, while speaking in an interview with Punch, disclosed that the lawmakers will today (Monday) engage the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, and other renowned tax experts on the bills.
Speaking further, he said that some governors are holding meetings ahead of the National Assembly resumption to consider the tax bills and other important legislations.
According to him, “Some of these governors are threatening members from their states. They have even gone far to threaten that they would deny members return tickets in 2027 if they support the bills.”
The threats notwithstanding, the Benue lawmaker said nothing would make him and his colleagues change course, provided the bills are targeted at revamping the economy.
He continued, “As far as we are concerned in the House of Representatives, nobody can stop us from supporting President Bola Tinubu’s bid to reboot the economy to work for the country.
“We are united across party lines to make sure the country works. This is the disposition of Speaker, Tajudeen Abass.”
While noting that lawmakers in the past could indeed be cajoled to give up their principles, the legislator reminded the governors that the 10th Assembly congressmen are a different breed of Nigerians.
He said, “The difference between the new crop of politicians in the House of Representatives is that we are intellectually sound, progressive-minded and pro-Nigeria.
“We were not elected by the governors but our constituents and as far as the legislation (bills) will work for those that elected us, we will support them unequivocally, wholeheartedly and powerfully to see the light of the day.”
The reinstated Labour Party governorship candidate in Ondo State, Ayodele Olorunfemi, has bemoaned his failure to win Saturday’s election, blaming former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and the Nigeria Labour Congress for his predicament.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission after sweeping the 18 local government areas in Ondo.
In the final declaration of the result by the State Returning Officer, Prof Olayemi Akinwumi, he said APC’s Ayedatiwa polled a total of 366,781 votes to defeat Agboola Ajayi of the PDP, who got 117,845 votes.
The Returning Officer said, “That Ayedatiwa Lucky Orimisan of APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law is hereby returned elected.”
Olorunfemi’s loss comes a few days after INEC returned his name on the ballot as LP flag bearer for the November 16 poll, following a ruling by the Court of Appeal.
Following weeks of suspense, Olorunfemi heaved a sigh of relief when the Court of Appeal in Abuja vacated an earlier judgment by the Federal High Court ordering the electoral umpire to recognise Obi’s anointed candidate, Olusola Ebiseni.
Reacting in an interview with The PUNCH, Olorunfemi vowed not to forgive the former LP presidential candidate and the NLC for the role they played in scuttling his Ondo governorship campaign.
When asked if he succeeded in having a last-minute door-to-door campaign with his supporters after winning his appeal, a saddened LP flag bearer confessed that his campaign for the election was neither here nor there.
He said, “I have Peter Obi and the NLC to thank for that. They have scuttled my aspirations and chances to win this Ondo election. These people spoilt things for us with that PDP reject they wanted to force on the party. Their insistence on having Ebiseni on the ballot ruined everything for me.
“They just capitalised on the crisis between the Labour Party and the Nigeria Labour Congress to create problems. Can you imagine that Ebiseni wrote a letter to the court in my name without my knowledge, saying I have withdrawn from the race? They cannot exclude me from such a position.”
While accepting that he knew his chances at the poll were slim after his reinstatement a few days to the poll, Olorunfemi vowed to get his pound of flesh.
The LP deputy chairman for South also threatened to petition police authorities to investigate how his name and signature were forged by Ebiseni and the NLC.
“Thank God we got an appeal judgment and my name is back in the INEC portal. The good thing here is that the truth has prevailed. Withdrawal must be voluntary. You cannot force someone to withdraw. What they have done was an attempt to force me behind my back.
“Again, it wasn’t the party that submitted it. It was the handiwork of the former President of the NLC and head of the National Transition Committee, Abduwaheed Omar. What they did is criminal.
“In fact, I am planning to petition the Inspector General of Police to probe how they wrote that letter, put my signature and presented it before the court. We will deal with that later. For now, we are still doing our underground work and doing our best for this election,” he stated.
When called to defend the allegation levelled against the workers’ union, acting Chairman of the NLC Political Commission, Prof Theophilus Ndubuaku, described Olorunfemi as a ‘very funny character.’
“He is one human being you should never take seriously. As a result of this crisis between us and Abure, Olorunfemi became the deputy to Abure and he was given the ticket. Before this election, he was a placeholder. So what did he do? He now started shopping for who would buy the ticket from him.
“In the process, they asked Ebiseni to pay N20m to get the ticket. He paid and even added another N5m which they claimed was for expenses. When they refused to give him the ticket, Ebiseni went to court. In retaliation, the Abure’s camp started working to ensure INEC didn’t upload his name because of the Kagaroo judgment they went to secure.
“The only challenge we have was that before the judgment, INEC had already given the code for uploading the names of agents to Olorunfemi. We know he would have uploaded the names of suspected APC agents there. We know he is obviously working indirectly for the APC.”
As of the time of filing this story, efforts to reach both Obi and Ebiseni for reactions were unsuccessful.
Nigerians suffering, reverse floating of naira, Electricity Tariff/Petrol Price Increase - Labour urges Tinubu
AFOLABI
Organised Labour has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reverse policies on the floating of the national currency and rising energy costs, citing the need to reduce the economic hardship faced by Nigerians and businesses.
Naija News reports that the appeal was made in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the 6th Quadrennial and 13th National Delegates Conference of the National Union of Shop and Distributive Employees (NUSDE).
Speaking at the event, NUSDE President, Aminu Megbontowon, highlighted the significant challenges posed by the current economic policies.
“Nigerian workers and businesses are experiencing tough times due to some of the policies implemented by this government. The high cost of energy has severely impacted production, services, and workers’ welfare,” he stated.
Megbontowon criticized the soaring prices of petroleum products, which now exceed N1,000 per liter, and the increased electricity tariffs, which have risen from N68 to N227.
He emphasized that these costs are unsustainable for an oil-producing nation like Nigeria, especially when the purchasing power of its citizens remains alarmingly low.
He warned that the rising costs of production and living are driving many Nigerians into poverty, resulting in widespread job losses and the collapse of numerous businesses.
“Many factories are unable to sell their products, leading to redundancies and closures. This has a direct impact on our membership as workers lose their jobs daily,” he added.
The NUSDE President called for urgent government intervention, including the reversal of deregulation policies and the reduction of energy costs.
He also urged the President to end the devaluation and floating of the Naira, which has made imported goods and raw materials unaffordable.
“Nigeria’s economy needs cheaper energy, single-digit interest rates, and basic infrastructure to support production and services industries. The government must also embark on an ambitious industrialization plan to grow the economy,” he said.
Other demands include drastic cuts in electricity and petroleum product prices, affordable lending rates, and massive investments in infrastructure such as roads, refineries, schools, and hospitals to boost economic productivity and improve the quality of life for Nigerians.
Organised Labour has warned that failure to address these pressing issues could lead to further economic deterioration and increased hardship across the nation.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has set its valuation at approximately $300 billion.
The valuation arises from the company’s latest share buyback program, offering investors $180.70 per share—marking a 12.9% increase from its previous buyback price of $160 per share in December 2023-Reuters first reported.
This is ByteDance’s third share repurchase initiative since 2022, as the company continues to provide liquidity to its investors in the absence of an initial public offering (IPO).
The prior buyback valued ByteDance at $268 billion, and the current program reflects growing confidence in the company’s financial performance and prospects.
The buyback comes as ByteDance reported a 30% increase in global revenue last year, reaching $110 billion, driven by the sustained popularity of TikTok and its expanding portfolio of digital platforms. However, the company has refrained from setting a timeline for a public market debut, according to sources.
The news was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. ByteDance has maintained that its buyback strategy offers investors a viable exit option while ensuring internal liquidity without the complexities of an IPO.
Despite these financial strides, ByteDance faces significant regulatory hurdles, particularly in the United States. A law signed by President Joe Biden in April requires the company to divest TikTok by January 19, 2025, or face a ban on the app within U.S. borders. The administration has cited national security concerns over Chinese ownership of the platform.
In response, ByteDance and TikTok filed a lawsuit in federal court in May, challenging the legislation and seeking to block its enforcement. The legal battle has cast uncertainty over TikTok’s future in its largest market by user base.
ByteDance’s valuation reflects a delicate balance of its robust revenue growth and mounting geopolitical risks. The company’s decision to proceed with the buyback, regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, underscores its commitment to stabilizing investor sentiment amid external pressures.
While the $300 billion valuation highlights ByteDance’s dominance in the global tech landscape, its legal and regulatory challenges could influence future growth trajectories. For now, the company remains focused on maintaining its financial momentum while navigating a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.
What to know
Nairametrics reported in October that Zhang Yiming, the founder of ByteDance, had become China’s richest man, overtaking Zhong Shanshan, the bottled water magnate.
- Zhang’s rise to the top has been nothing short of extraordinary, considering his journey from a modest upbringing in Fujian Province to building one of the world’s most influential tech companies.
- Born in 1983, Zhang pursued software engineering at Nankai University, where his curiosity for innovation blossomed. After graduating, he gained experience at various tech startups, including Kuxun, a travel platform where he quickly rose through the ranks. This foundation would later shape his vision for ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok and Douyin.
Under Zhang’s leadership, ByteDance introduced a unique approach to content delivery powered by AI, redefining how users consume information globally. This ingenuity propelled the company to unprecedented success, making TikTok one of the most downloaded apps in the world and solidifying Zhang’s place among the tech elite.
[Nairametrics]
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for the appointment of new and credible leaders for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with short tenures to curb corruption and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Speaking at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum held at Yale University in Connecticut, USA, Obasanjo delivered a keynote address titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria,” where he described the 2023 general elections as a “travesty.”
The former president emphasized the need for comprehensive reform of the electoral system, including rigorous vetting of INEC officials to eliminate partisan influences.
“As a matter of urgency, we must ensure the INEC chairperson and staff undergo thorough vetting,” he said. “The process must yield impartial, non-partisan individuals with impeccable reputations.”
Obasanjo proposed appointing credible leadership at all levels—federal, state, and local—with limited tenures to prevent political interference and corruption.
He stressed that the INEC chairperson must be “transparently independent and incorruptible.”
Highlighting the importance of safeguarding democratic integrity, Obasanjo called for measures to prevent electoral interference and advocated for clear financial regulations to ensure transparency in political campaigns.
He also urged the need for robust mechanisms to protect election infrastructure, particularly the technologies used for collating, transmitting, and verifying results.
The former president criticized INEC for failing to utilize the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) and election viewing portal (IReV) during the 2023 elections, which he said compromised the process.
“These technologies were praised for their potential to enhance transparency, prevent rigging, and build public trust,” Obasanjo remarked.
“However, INEC willfully neglected their use, leading to widespread irregularities. It was akin to inviting the fox into the henhouse.”
Obasanjo’s remarks underline the urgency of electoral reform as a cornerstone for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
[Leadership]
Former presidential spokesman, Laolu Akande, has urged Nigerians to stop fixating on the recent comments made by Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, and instead focus on the myriad of pressing issues facing the country.
Akande made this call during his segment on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Sunday, where he addressed the uproar over Badenoch’s remarks.
44-year-old Badenoch was born in London and spent part of her childhood in Nigeria recently remarked that she did not want the United Kingdom to mirror the situation in Nigeria.
Badenoch’s comments have sparked outrage among Nigerians.
“Our obsession with Mrs. Badenoch’s comments is entirely diversionary.”
“Instead of focusing on her, we should be attacking our real problems. Who cares what she thinks? The bigger issue is the state of our country — we should be putting pressure on our leaders to solve fundamental problems like fixing the national power grid,” he said.
During the segment, Akande commended the Supreme Court for its recent ruling that dismissed a lawsuit filed by 19 state governments challenging the constitutionality of key anti-corruption agencies. He described the case as a self-serving attempt to undermine the operations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
“The 7-member Supreme Court panel unanimously dismissed the suit, labeling it ‘selfish,’” Akande said. “This ruling is a comforting rebuke against attempts to weaken our fight against corruption. It shows that while much has gone wrong in our country, redemption is not impossible if we remain steadfast.”
[DailyTrust]
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized President Bola Tinubu for conferring the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Timothy Osadolor, the PDP's Deputy National Youth Leader, described the president's action as a misplaced priority. However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, argued that the president didn't do anything unprecedented.
The PDP's criticism comes after Tinubu conferred the award on Modi during the Nigeria/India Bilateral meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Tinubu said the award was a show of appreciation for the partnership and bilateral relationship between Nigeria and India.
However, the PDP expressed disappointment, wondering why Tinubu chose to gift the second-highest national honor on the basis of mere friendship. The PDP National Working Committee member emphasized that though the president has the right to confer a national honor on anybody, there must be criteria to show why they deserve it.
Osadolor also wondered if the president asked the visiting PM and his delegation the right questions on investments and how Nigeria can borrow a leaf from the Indians to move the country out of the woods. He said, "Tinubu is not serious. He should leave out frivolities for bigger issues. Now that the Indian Prime Minister has taken it upon himself to visit Africa, yes, we have a significant and sizeable Indian community in Nigeria. But to what end can we maximize and leverage these businesses?"
On the other hand, Duru raised concerns that the PDP was not playing its role as a responsible opposition. He said, "I think the question to ask is whether there is a precedent in this. Then the next question is if it is within the confines of the power of Mr. President to confer such an award. If it is, is the process approved? Once all these questions are answered in the affirmative, it then becomes the discretion of Mr. President to confer such an honorary award on whom he pleases."
Meanwhile, Dr. Sylvester Okere, a United States of America-based Nigerian security expert, said the Indian-Nigerian partnership would secure the people's assets. Okere will speak on 'Indian-Nigerian Partnership in Securing People and Assets' at the 19th Security Leadership Summit 2024 in New Delhi.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo state governor-elect, says he wishes Rotimi Akeredolu, his late principal, was alive to witness his victory.
Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor of Ondo, secured victory in all 18 LGAs, garnering 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 117,845 votes.
Aiyedatiwa took over the leadership of the state after Akeredolu died from protracted prostate cancer in 2023.
Speaking in an interview on Channels Television after his victory, Aiyedatiwa said Akeredolu wanted him as his successor.
“How I wish he was present in that banquet hall when I was declared in the company of other brother governors. That would have been really good, but God knows better,” he said.
“It is so sad and painful that he didn’t live to see the manifestation of what he himself spoke about. I do refer to him sometimes as the man who saw tomorrow.
“He knew that I was going to succeed him as governor. He knew because he wanted me to and was ready to give me the full backing.”
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has expressed his love for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, method of corruption investigation and recommended that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, should conclude investigations before arrest.
Speaking weekend at the Food and Energy Security in Africa Conference held in Lagos on ‘the Rule of Law and attracting International Investment towards Food and Energy Security in Africa’ , Fagbemi said the FBI would have done diligently investigation before going after the suspects.
“My attitude has always been that when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, is investigating anybody, I prefer the FBI model of the institution. “
The Attorney General of the Federation said while FBI is conducting investigations that nobody hears anything, “but when they call at your doorstep, you have to open the door. Your rights are there. You call your, like they say in America, your attorney.
“You call your attorney, but I bet you what you will ask your attorney to do is to reduce your sentence, to negotiate how your sentence will be reduced. When they are doing it, nobody hears anything.”
He said the attitude of fighting corruption by saying a big fish has been caught without proper investigation should be discouraged.
Fagbemi said proper investigation before media trial is a more civilized way of fighting corruption.
“So if you don’t hear that anybody has been arrested, if you don’t hear that anybody has been invited, it is not because actions are negative and not going on. It’s just that I believe that that is a more civilized approach of waging war against corruption.”
“And that will also significantly reduce the impression even outside the country. I have made this point that I don’t believe that the situation is as bad as people are painting it. This issue of social media, they would have bastardized and abused the suspects before the truth came out.
“So it is important to say this. If you get one, if you want to crush the corrupt official, please do so, but ensure that he does not get off the shackles of the law.
“It is by so doing that we can help ourselves and help the country. We all have a duty; a civic responsibility to report incidents of corruption, and it is also the statutory duty of the anti-corruption agencies to ensure thorough investigation.”
While noting that corruption is everywhere in the world, he said the government is doing enough to curtail it
“First, I start with an opening statement. Corruption is everywhere in the world. So when I hear people talk of corruption, corruption, as it exists in Africa, it exists in Europe, in Asia, but I will limit my question to this one now.
“In matters of corruption in the energy sector, we know the effect is like a cancer. Unless you are very careful, you may not be able to stop it. But we are doing our utmost to ensure that this is nipped in the bud, or at least reduced to the bare minimum.”
Fagbemi disclosed that laws have been enacted in the fight against corruption.
“For instance, we have witnessed the promulgation into law of critical legislations like the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and Corruption Act also in 2022.”
He added that the “work of the various anti-corruption agencies, particularly the IPCC and EFCC are also things that we feel, if properly and effectively pursued, will also reduce corruption significantly and to ensure the process is respected, protected, and corruption is deterred.
“it’s not everything that IPCC or EFCC is doing that will be advertised. I am aware that they are more involved now in prevention while not abandoning corruption.”
The Minister of Justice noted that the EFCC and IPCC, in collaboration with other agencies, have investigated corruption allegations, and they have performed well.
“For example, in 2022, a total of 3,700, almost 4,000 convictions were secured. This evidence is efficient on the part of these institutions to address the current corruption.
“Combating corruption is one of government’s priorities, and that’s why government has been doing it.”
Fagbemi added, “I believe, so concerted efforts of government against corruption will continue for months in terms of stealing, executive interference. This will continue to signal foreign investors that Nigeria is serious about combating corruption.”
The Attorney General of the Federation also disclosed that the government will be tackling the issues of conflicting judicial decisions with technology.
“I cannot run away from the fact that we have had conflicting decisions. But I want to assure you that that was in the past. You will not hear of any conflicting decisions these days. And, you know, certainty and predictability are the two pillars upon which judicial decisions stand.
“It must be predictable. It must be certain. So when there is conflict, then there is a problem.”That is now being addressed.”
He added that conflicting decisions are mostly in political decisions.
“When cases are filed, numerous cases are filed almost simultaneously across all the divisions of the court.
“This one does not know what is going on there. So that accounts for that. But with technology that is being put in place, if any decision has been rendered along a particular area of the law, then it is easy to detect.”
[Vanguard]
More...
Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, has asked the national assembly to reject any attempts to “cheat” the north with the proposed tax reform bills.
Kwankwaso spoke on Sunday at the convocation ceremony of Skyline University held at the Ammani Centre, Nassarawa GRA, Kano state.
Kwankwaso alleged that Lagos is “making a lot of efforts” to colonise the north.
The former governor accused the president, who hails from Lagos, of interfering in the emirship tussle in Kano.
“The Emir has just been installed at this difficult time in our country, especially in this part of the country, northern Nigeria,” he said.
“Today, we can see very clearly that there is a lot of effort from the Lagos axis to colonise this part of the country.
“Today, Lagos wouldn’t allow us to choose our Emir. Lagos has to come to the centre of Kano to put their own Emir.
“Today, we are aware that the Lagos young men are working so hard to impose and take away our taxes from Kano and this part of the country to Lagos.”
The Kano emirship is a subject of litigation.
Muhammadu Sanusi was reinstated as the Emir of Kano in May.
However, Aminu Bayero, who was removed to make way for Sanusi, has refused to step aside.
TAX REFORM BILLS
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections said many factory owners have been “forced” to relocate their headquarters to Lagos to make the south-west state claim “all the taxes”.
“We have seen the effort of some people to make the poor poorer and the rich richer. And I believe this is very dangerous for us,” Kwankwaso said.
“This part of the country today is suffering from a serious economic crunch, insecurity, poverty, hunger, and diseases.
“I believe this is not good for the cordial existence of our country. At this moment, I would like to call on all our national assembly members to keep their eyes open so that they don’t do anything that will cheat the people of northern Nigeria, especially here in Kano.
“We are witnesses to what happened during the first term of Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2003, where our members of the national assembly were bribed into collecting a huge sum of money to support onshore/offshore in the country.
“That law put a huge blow on our economy in northern Nigeria and all other states.”
BACKGROUND
On October 3, Tinubu asked the national assembly to consider and pass four tax reform bills.
The proposed legislations, which have sparked intense debate, include the Nigeria tax bill, the tax administration bill, and the joint revenue board establishment bill.
The president also asked the parliament to repeal the law establishing the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and replace it with the Nigeria Revenue Service.
On October 28, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) opposed the bills, arguing that the proposed legislation would harm the region’s interests.
The governors asked the national assembly to reject the bills, demanding equitable and fair implementation of national policies and programmes across all regions.
The national economic council (NEC) also asked Tinubu to withdraw the bills to give room for consultations.
On November 1, Tinubu said the bills would not be withdrawn from the national assembly, noting that the proposed laws are designed to improve the lives of Nigerians and optimise existing tax frameworks.
[TheCable]
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated Lucky Aiyedatiwa for winning the Ondo governorship election, commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and others who played critical roles in the successful conduct of the election.
Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor of the state, was declared as the winner of the election around 2:30 pm on Sunday, defeating his closest rival Ajayi Agboola who flew the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s flag in the poll.
Minutes after the declaration, the APC said the victory was a testament that Aiyedatiwa’s policies were in alignment with the people’s wishes.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election,” APC spokesman Felix Morka said in a Sunday statement.
“Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo state gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes, and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.
“With this renewed mandate, we are confident that you will build upon your accomplishments, and take the state to even greater heights of social and economic development for the benefit of the good people of Ondo state.”
The APC also thanked INEC and other stakeholders for their “professionalism and patriotism” in the conduct of the poll.
“We commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for their professionalism and patriotism in the discharge of their constitutional roles during the election,” Morka said.
“We thank the Ondo electorate for their sustained and highly valued support of our great Party.”
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) must refrain from using the NBC Act and Nigeria Broadcasting Code to impose fines, threaten sanctions, or intimidate broadcast stations and independent media outlets across the country.
Delivering judgment, Justice Nicholas Oweibo declared that the NBC lacks the legal authority to unilaterally impose penalties, including fines, license suspensions, or any form of punishment on media organizations for disseminating diverse information on public-interest issues.
The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
The certified true copy of the judgment, dated June 13, 2024, was obtained last week.
The case was initiated after the NBC fined Trust TV, Multichoice Nigeria Limited, NTA-Startimes Limited, and TelcCom Satellite Limited N5 million each in 2022 for airing documentaries on terrorism.
The NBC alleged that the programs glorified banditry, undermined national security, and violated the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
Justice Oweibo addressed the objections raised by the NBC, affirming that SERAP and CJID had the legal standing (locus standi) to file the lawsuit.
He cited the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules of 2009, which prioritize public interest litigation and eliminate strict requirements for locus standi.
In his judgment, Justice Oweibo held that, “The issue of the locus standi of SERAP and CJID need to be resolved first being a threshold issue. It is trite that the Statement of Claim must disclose the Plaintiff’s interest sufficient to clothe him/her with the requisite capacity to sue.”
Justice Oweibo also stated that, “SERAP and CJID have been vested with locus standi. Looking at the provisions of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 and particularly the preambles to the Rules, the general requirement of locus standi has been done away with. SERAP and CJID are not meddlesome interlopers.
“I have looked at the affidavit in support of the suit, which in this case stands in place of a Statement of Claim. Considering the core mandates of SERAP and CJID and the affidavit in support of their suit, it is to be seen that this is a public interest case.”
The court ruled that NBC’s actions breached the constitutional rights to freedom of expression, access to information, media freedom, and fair hearing as enshrined in sections 22, 36, and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended).
SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare said, “We urge the NBC to demonstrate its commitment to the rule of law by immediately obeying and respecting the judgment of the Court.
“We also urge President Bola Tinubu to direct the Ministry of Information and Culture, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the NBC to immediately disclose the details of the Twitter agreement, as ordered by the court.
“The immediate enforcement and implementation of the judgment will be a victory for the rule of law, freedom of expression and media freedom in Nigeria.”
The new terror group, Lukarawa, set up camps in 10 local government areas of Sokoto and Bauchi states before its operations became known to the public three weeks ago, Sunday PUNCH reports.
According to sources, members of the terror group initially established camps in some villages bordering Nigeria and Niger Republic, including Gwanaguano, Mulawa, Wassinya, and Turigaic communities.
They eventually infiltrated Nigeria and set up camps in different communities, especially in Gudu and Tangaza LGAs of Sokoto in 2018.
Some leaders of the group, according to credible sources, include Abu Khadijah, Abdulrahaman (Idi), Dadi Gumba, Muhammed Abu, Usman Shehu, Abu Yusuf, Musa Walia, Ibrahim Suyaka, Ba Sulhu, and Idris Taklakse.
Our correspondents learnt that they use Hausa, Fulfulde, and Arabic languages in their preaching while they name their camp, Darul Islam.
A source said, “Their ages are between 18 and 50 years. They have been attacking villages in Gudu, Tangaza, Illela, and other local governments to collect taxes, though they did not kill anyone until the recent Mera attack.
“They will count the number of cattle in their custody and calculate the tax based on the percentage which they will take from the cattle,” a community leader in Tangaza LG said.
A researcher with the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Dr Murtala Rufa’i, told Sunday PUNCH that the group had been planning to establish its caliphate for over 25 years.
He said though members of the group had camps in different communities in about 10 LGAs in Sokoto and Kebbi states, they did not stay in a particular place as they were always on the move.
“They are always on the move using their motorcycles. You can see them today in Bachaka or Kangiwa and see them tomorrow at Bachaka Tambo and the next day at Bachaka in Gudu. This makes it very difficult for our security operatives to locate them unless their paths cross,” the don added.
He disclosed that the group had between 1,500 and 1,800 followers, including clerics and youths in the Tangaza and Gudu axis, the ancestral home of the Lukarawa leaders.
Rufa’i said the group was dislodged by combined security agents around 2020, but later regrouped in December 2023.
“Since then, Lukarawa’s activities have spread to about 10 local government areas which include Tangaza, Gudu, Illela, Gwadabawa, Kware, Silame, Binji in Sokoto State and Augie and Kangiwa, Argungu, in Kebbi State,” he stated.
Lukarawa, according to the don, is a Malian-based group known in the Sahel as Jama’atu Muslimina with members cutting across different tribes and sects.
He identified the leader of the group as Ahmadu Kofa, whose ancestors were originally Nigerians from a community called Kofa under the old Kebbi empire.
Rufa’i said, “He is from Kofa. He has siblings like Ibrahim Kofa, Umar Kofa. They are presently in Mali, but their ancestors were Nigerians, from the Kebbi empire.
“Their parents and grandparents like Umar Kofa and Sa’idu Kofa had all acquired their religious knowledge in a place called Balle, the present headquarters of Gudu LGA of Sokoto.”
He noted that the group was luring locals with money, farm inputs, and pumping machines, adding that some of the people joined Lukarawa because of hunger.
Rufa’i described members of the group as criminals hiding under religion.
The don said some of the residents of the affected communities were afraid to report members of the Lukarawa because they threatened them.
“When they came back, they assembled the people of those areas and told them they were using drones to monitor them and their activities. They threatened to kill anyone who tried to report them. So, the locals are in perpetual fear. They don’t discuss their issue,” he stated.
Narrating his experience, a resident of Gongono in Tangaza LGA, who identified himself as Mainasara, confirmed the presence of Lukarawa in the area.
He said, “The Lukarawa people, a few days ago, abducted and killed one of our youths whom they accused of having a link with security operatives.”
Counter-terrorism centre allays fear
However, the National Counter-Terrorism Centre has estimated that Lukarawa had about 150 fighters, describing the group as insignificant.
The Centre attributed the group’s current recruitment drive to efforts aimed at increasing their numbers.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the National Coordinator of the centre, Major General Adamu Laka, downplayed fears surrounding the group’s presence, stating that the threat was not as severe as perceived.
Laka assured Nigerians that, with ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, the Lukarawa group would soon be eliminated as a security concern.
He also cautioned Nigerians against spreading fears in the minds of the populace about the group.
Laka said, “Their total number is not more than 150 to 200. However, they are looking for more people to join them, and Nigeria is resilient, that’s why the issue came up. They are looking for people to recruit.”
He also doused fears that the group might expand its activities beyond its current location, insisting they lacked the numerical strength.
Laka added that intelligence agencies were working tirelessly to deliver timely and actionable intelligence to prevent and counter threats the group poses.
Security experts call for decisive step
A security expert, Kabir Adamu, attributed the emergence of Lukarawa to a lack of intelligence and coordination by the security agencies.
He said security agencies should have taken note of the activities of the group and crushed it before now.
“This group, a couple of years ago, killed a member of our security forces. They attacked the Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State several times. So, they are not new. We should have taken note of developments in the Sahel region where we have seen terrorist groups taking strongholds across the Sahel.
“If we had taken note of that, we would have seen the steady progress and incursion of this group into what has been described as the littoral states, the states that share borders with the ocean,” he stated.
Adamu noted that security agencies should have planned to prevent the incursion of the terror group into Nigeria, warning that other new terror groups might have infiltrated the country as well.
He called on security agencies to implement the provisions of the national counterterrorism strategy.
What is missing in Nigeria’s security system, according to Adamu, is intelligence and coordination, stating that the agencies are more interested in operations.
Adamu added, “They’ve forgotten their role as coordinators. They should have galvanised us and made sure that every Nigerian understands the provisions of that national counterterrorism strategy and supports it.
“But the coordinators are more interested in operations than actually doing their work, which is the coordination of our national counterterrorism strategy.”
Also, a former director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, advised security agencies to take decisive steps and prevent the new group from forming alliances with bandits in the region.
He said, “The government should take decisive action to uproot them before they take root now that they are only in Sokoto and Bauchi states. They should not be allowed to ally with any bandit groups, because if that happens, it becomes a greater security challenge for the northwest and the country at large.
“The government should also call for support from the local populace and the society for necessary information, which is converted to intelligence to get the group uprooted.”
A retired brigadier general in the Nigerian Army, Bashir Adewinbi, attributed the presence of the terror group to the country’s porous borders and the compromise of some people.
Adewinbi said the porosity of Nigerian borders made it possible for criminals to infiltrate border communities to perpetrate evil.
He said, “Our borders are too porous; anybody can come from outside and do anything they like in Nigeria. It’s not supposed to be like that. They should fortify our borders, seriously. Any criminal can come in and organise whatever they like.
“The security agencies should first of all flush the terrorists out and make sure they don’t have freedom to operate. They should also monitor our borders.”