The recent furore generated by the tax reform bills sponsored by the Tinubu administration has elicited the need to look at the entire concept of tax action in Nigeria. This article will look at an often ignored aspect of taxation, that of taxing residual wealth from generation to generation.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with economic challenges, rising inequality, and the need for sustainable public revenue, the reinstatement of the scrapped Capital Transfer Tax (CTT) emerges as a compelling solution. Inheritance taxes have been successfully implemented in many economies to enhance revenue generation, reduce wealth inequality, and improve equity in taxation. 

In Nigeria, the top 10% of the population holds almost 30% of the nation’s income.This figure has remained trended upwards in recent years, indicating a significant concentration of income among the wealthiest segment of the population. To put this into perspective, the income inequality ratio between the top 10% and the bottom 50% is 1 to 14. This means that, on average, an individual in the top 10% earns 14 times more than someone in the bottom 50%.

It’s important to note that income distribution figures can vary over time due to economic policies, market dynamics, and data collection methodologies. Additionally, while income distribution provides insight into economic inequality, wealth distribution—which includes assets like property and investments—can present a different picture and is often more skewed.

Addressing such disparities is therefore crucial for promoting economic equity and social stability in Nigeria. We can ill-afford to create a permanent elite class that enjoys privilege in perpetuity simply because their forbears were able, in whatever manner they did, to amass wealth in the past. 

This article explores the need for Nigeria to adopt inheritance taxation as part of ongoing tax reforms and compares inheritance tax structures in the UK, US and South Africa.

These comparisons highlight the potential positive impacts of inheritance taxes in fostering equity, funding development, and closing the wealth gap in Nigeria.

The Historical Context of Inheritance Tax in Nigeria

Nigeria previously had a Capital Transfer Tax (CTT),introduced in 1979 under the Capital Transfer Tax Act, 1979 by the them Obasanjo military regime. The CTT was imposed on the transfer of assets, including inherited wealth, upon death or as a gift. However, due to administrative inefficiencies, tax evasion, and political pressures, the CTT was abolished in 1996, by the Abacha regime, in a move that cynical observers said was a move to protect the billions of dollars that he had spirited out of Nigeria. Since then, Nigeria has lacked any form of inheritance or estate tax, unlike its global counterparts.

The absence of inheritance taxes exacerbates wealth inequality, as large estates and inherited wealth accumulate tax-free over generations. As the country faces increasing fiscal pressure and economic disparities, it is imperative to consider the reintroduction of an inheritance tax system to address these challenges.

The Role of Inheritance Taxes in Equity and Revenue Generation

Inheritance taxes serve several purposes:

1. Reducing Wealth Inequality: By taxing inherited wealth, governments can prevent the perpetual transfer of wealth to a small elite class, fostering social mobility.Even in traditionally feudalistic societies like the United Kingdom, these taxes have been used as a portent force for good in ensuring a reduction of a permanent upper class that is based principally on privilege. Inherited wealth invariably serves as a disincentive to wealth creation based on merit, as it entrenches a permanent upper class.

2. Promoting Equity in Taxation: Inheritance taxes ensure that wealthier individuals contribute more to public finances, aligning with the principles of progressive taxation. There has been growing calls for the expansion of the tax net to capture even illicit wealth. It is a long established fact of tax law that the “burglar and the swindler, who carry on a trade or business for profit, are as liable to tax as an honest business man.”. So taxation can be used as a veritable tool to harness tax revenues from even dishonest activities. In the United States, when the government was unable to pin specific crimes against the Mafia dons, it resorted to tax evasion, which has a much less onerous burden of proof as it most times shifts this burden of proof to the tax payer rather than the tax man.

3. Revenue Generation: Inheritance taxes provide a sustainable revenue stream for governments, which can be used to fund infrastructure, healthcare, education, and poverty alleviation programs. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio was 9.4% in 2023, indicating a huge shortfall from the African average of 18.8% and the OECD average of 34,2%. 

Comparative Analysis of Inheritance Tax Systems

To highlight the benefits of inheritance taxes, it is useful to analyze inheritance tax structures in the UK, US and South Africa. Each of these countries implements inheritance or estate taxes with varying thresholds, rates, and impacts.

The United Kingdom

In the UK, inheritance tax (IHT) is levied on estates valued over £325,000 at a rate of 40%. However, the tax applies only to the portion exceeding the threshold, and several exemptions exist for spouses, charitable donations, and small businesses.

Inheritance tax contributes significantly to the UK’s tax revenue, generating approximately £7 billion annually. It is noteworthy that the new Labour government has widened the inheritance tax net to include family owned farms, with a net worth of over £1 million, in a bid to plug the much talked about £22 billion “black hole” in UK  government finances. 

The UK’s progressive inheritance tax system ensures that the wealthiest estates contribute more to public finances. Funds are often reinvested in public services, reducing the wealth gap. The UK system balances fairness with exemptions to protect middle-income families while ensuring wealth redistribution across the wealthier families. 

The United States

In the US, inheritance taxes are more complex, as they combine federal estate taxes with state-level taxes. At the federal level, estates exceeding $12.92 million for individuals (as of 2023) are subject to estate tax rates ranging from 18% to 40%. States such as New York and Maryland impose additional inheritance or estate taxes. The impact of some of these taxes may help explain the benevolence of wealthy Americans such as Warren Buffet and Bill Gates who plan to distribute majority of their wealth to charitable causes rather than leave their fortunes to be ravaged by inheritance taxes. A number of them have enrolled in the Giving Pledge, where they pledge to give away 50-99% of their wealth to charitable causes. 

Estate taxes contribute billions to federal revenue. For example, in 2020, estate taxes generated $17 billion in revenue. By taxing the largest estates, the US ensures that ultra-wealthy individuals contribute proportionally to public finances while avoiding undue burdens on smaller estates.

South Africa

South Africa imposes an estate duty of 20% on estates valued below R30 million and 25% on amounts exceeding this threshold. In addition, Donations and transfers to spouses are exempt. A primary threshold of R3.5 million ensures that smaller estates are not burdened unduly. Estate duties contribute a moderate amount to South Africa’s revenue base but are essential for addressing the country’s significant wealth inequality,nespecially along race lines. Given South Africa’s history of economic disparity, estate taxes help address structural inequalities by redistributing wealth.

Lessons for Nigeria: Benefits of Reintroducing Inheritance Taxes

From the above comparisons, several lessons can guide Nigeria in reintroducing inheritance taxes:

1. Revenue Generation for Development

   Countries like the UK and US demonstrate that inheritance taxes can contribute billions in revenue annually. For Nigeria, these funds could be used to improve much needed infrastructure (roads, railways, and power supply, education and healthcare etc. In addition, a portion of such taxes may be targeted at poverty alleviation and skills enhancement effortsthat eventually reduce poverty and reduce social inequality. 

2. Reducing Inequality

   Nigeria faces a growing wealth gap, with significant disparities between the elite class and the broader population. By taxing inherited wealth, Nigeria can reduce the concentration of wealth within a small elite and promotesocial mobility and economic opportunity for underprivileged groups. In a country such as Nigeria with a vast gulf between the haves and the havenots, reducing inequality is key to societal stability and peace. 

3. Promoting Tax Equity 

   Inheritance taxes ensure that wealthier individuals contribute more to national development. Unlike consumption taxes (e.g., VAT), which disproportionately burden low-income earners, inheritance taxes target unearned wealth transfers, promoting fairness in taxation. So far, the uproar has largely been on the distribution of VAT revenues amongst states and regions of the federation. 

4. Administrative Considerations

   To ensure the successful implementation of inheritance taxes, Nigeria must set  reasonable exemption thresholds to protect middle-income families (e.g., estates below N50 million – this is just a suggestion, as an ideal figure will need more empirical research).

In addition, the proposed tax must simplify tax administration to prevent evasion and improve compliance, so that it doesn’t become burdened by evasion that is induced by complexity of enforcement. We must also enlighten the general public on the benefits of inheritance taxation for national development.

Conclusion

The reintroduction of inheritance taxes or the Capital Transfer Tax in Nigeria is a necessary step in achieving tax equity, reducing wealth inequality, and generating sustainable revenue for development. By adopting lessons from countries such as the UK, US, and South Africa, Nigeria can design a fair and progressive inheritance tax system that balances revenue generation with social justice.

At a time when Nigeria faces significant fiscal challenges and economic disparities, inheritance taxes offer a powerful tool to address inequality and fund essential public services. It is time for policymakers to prioritize equity in taxation and ensure that the wealthy contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development goals. Reintroducing the Capital Transfer Tax would not only align Nigeria with global best practices but also foster a more inclusive and equitable society.

Mr Emeka Ndu, is a  Price Waterhouse-trained chartered accountant and serial entrepreneur who has a passion for societal development and empowerment.

As the first full year of President Tinubu’s administration, 2024 has come with its unique share of challenges and triumphs. As we look back at the ongoing year, this is the perfect time to reflect on the President’s vision for a transformed Nigeria and how 2024 has provided numerous opportunities to manifest that vision.

On so many fronts, the outgoing year has brought significant policy and legislative milestones that are helping to cement the very foundations of the President’s grand vision for Nigeria. Take the examples of the Students Loan Fund and the Consumer Credit Corporation, two institutions targeted at putting more resources in the pockets of the Nigerian people, empowering them to turn their dreams into opportunities.

With the Students Loan Fund, we are seeing, for the first time in decades, Nigerian students at tertiary level, getting targeted federal assistance to pursue their academic ambitions, through long-term loans (and stipends) that are designed to not be burdensome in any way. In less than one year, more than 300,000 Nigerian students have already benefited.

With the Consumer Credit scheme, we are seeing affordable financing being made available to workers, to enable them afford life’s necessities. Every developed country is built around a functioning credit system that fuels consumer spending and translates into economic growth. Nigeria is now finally on that path.

Also in 2024, we also saw the first steps in the implementation of a new electricity framework in the country, conferring the State governments with greater agency and responsibility. Building on a recent constitutional amendment, the President signed into law the 2024 Electricity Act that is now guiding a pioneering set of States into rolling out their own regulated electricity markets.

Indeed, for Nigeria to be truly able to achieve economic development, we must allow the subnational governments more room for real economic impact. With the new Electricity Act, States can now play a much bigger role in attracting investments into on-grid and off-grid solutions, ensuring that more electricity gets to more Nigerians.

This concept of giving more power and opportunities to the States is one of the defining governing philosophies of President Tinubu – as Governor of Lagos two decades ago he was one of the leading advocates of true federalism in Nigeria. Now, as President, he has not abandoned those ideals. In July 2024 we saw the landmark ruling  by the Supreme Court, empowering local governments to an extent we have not seen in our recent history. The President has since empaneled an Inter-Ministerial Committee that will ensure the full enforcement of that judgement.

For the state governments, President Tinubu’s economic reforms have triggered a dramatic surge in revenues, which is allowing the States to do more for their people. The last FAAC meeting saw the sharing of a record 1.727 Trillion Naira amongst the three tiers of government. These resources are meant to deliver bigger dividends of development to Nigerians. 

For those who have taken the effort to be familiar with the ongoing tax reforms, the Bills currently before the National Assembly also represent another fiscal boon for the subnational governments, with the Federal government choosing for example to take an even smaller portion of VAT than it currently gets.

The Presidential Initiative on CNG marked its first year of implementation recently, with the number of vehicle conversion centers in the country rising from fewer than 10 to more than 120. The goal is to make CNG a fuel of choice for private and commercial transportation in Nigeria, bringing down costs by as much as 50 to 60 percent. We are already seeing enthusiastic uptake of the initiative, and the government is supporting this by way of fiscal incentives and subsidized conversions.

The year is closing with the massive news of the final investment decision (FID) by Shell and its partners on the Bonga North deep offshore oil project, which is Nigeria’s first deep offshore FID in over a decade. This FID was preceded by the one by Total and NNPC Limited on the 300 million cubic feet per day Ubeta gas project. Together these two projects represent over 5 billion dollars in investment value.

These long-awaited investment decisions have now finally happened because the investors behind them can see, from the President’s policies and actions, that Nigeria is truly serious and ready for oil and gas investment. A series of presidential directives issued at the beginning of 2024 have unleashed the biggest wave of investor interest in our country’s energy sector in a while.

in 2024, our security forces neutralized more than 8,000 terrorists and bandits, and arrested 11,600 others, with more than 10,000 weapons recovered. Additionally, about 8,000 kidnap victims were successfully rescued. The goal is to keep driving down the numbers of victims, while scaling up efforts to make crime and criminality unattractive in Nigeria.

On the foreign affairs front, the 2024 has been a most encouraging year, despite several challenging geopolitical developments around the world, including in our corner of West Africa. This year Nigeria was awarded the hosting rights for the new African Energy Bank, which will prove to be game-changing for energy financing in Africa. As we reposition ourselves to be a global energy hub, this is a most fitting complement.

Nigeria is asserting itself as a country that cannot be ignored on the global stage. In 2024, President Tinubu hosted heads of State and/or government from India, the world’s largest democracy, and from Germany, Europe’s largest economy.

He was welcomed on a State Visit to France, at a very exciting time in the history of mutually-beneficial relations between Nigeria and France. Nigeria was specially invited to the G20 Summit for the second consecutive year running, and we forged deeper relations with South Africa through our joint presidential binational commission.

As we step into a new year, during which we will mark the second anniversary of the Tinubu Administration, we will surely see even more of the positive outcomes of the President’s reforms, in infrastructure, agriculture, security, healthcare, education, creative and digital economy and many other areas. The tax reforms, when passed into law and assented to, will cut personal and corporate income taxes for tens of millions of Nigerians, while also expanding VAT exemptions.

Consumer credit and student loans will reach many more people. Important indices such as foreign reserves position, trade surplus, oil production, and GDP growth are set to continue rising, even as greater work going into permanently taming inflation. The 2025 budget – the very fittingly-themed “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity” – is a convincing pointer of the federal government’s commitment to maintaining the positive course in which we are headed as a nation.

We will continue to seek the understanding of Nigerians on this journey of, in the President’s words in the 2025 budget speech, “economic renewal and institutional development.” The sacrifices will all surely be rewarded, and we shall surely and steadily advance towards our desired destination – a country where a progressively better life will be guaranteed for everyone, regardless of where in the country they happen to reside. Under President Tinubu’s watch, 2025 will represent a leap forward, towards that deserved destination.

Mohammed Idris, fnipr, is the Minister of Information and National Orientation

“My kind of loyalty was loyalty to one’s country, not to its institutions or its officeholders. The country is the real thing, the substantial thing, the eternal thing; it is the thing to watch over, care for, and be loyal to; institutions are extraneous; they are its mere clothing, and clothing can wear out, become ragged, cease to be comfortable, cease to protect the body from winter, disease, and death.” ― Mark Twain

In one village, there is a handsome and intelligent man named James. He is very clean and dresses well. He also speaks English and French very fluently.

Usually, when someone dies, the whole village will gather, and able-bodied young men will dig the grave, bury the corpse, and cover it very well. The women will prepare Abacha while the men will come with kegs of palm wine. It is very well organized, communally. Everyone plays his/her part to make the burden light for the bereaved family.

Every time this occurred, James came with a newspaper. He would find a very comfortable position, sit, and cross his legs, reading the newspaper while others worked on the grave. There seemed to be nothing wrong with this, as there were plenty of hands on the job.

One day, James’ father kicked the bucket. What a day! The whole village gathered as usual. But there was something strange about the gathering. Guess what? Every young man came there well dressed, with a newspaper and a chair. They all sat down and read newspapers! Onyema, who did not break slate way back in primary school days, also had one, even though he held it upside down.

There was an uneasy calm that enveloped the atmosphere. The environment was hot, even though it was early in the morning during the harmattan season. The dice was cast. It was payback time. James was about to receive the reward for his actions over the years.

And so, the corpse was there, but no one was digging the grave. James came out of the house and saw the situation. He was helpless. He is the only young man in the family. His other two siblings are girls. He broke down and wept like a child. He wept not for the dead but for himself. He realized that he was a living, dead man. He pleaded for mercy to no avail. Finally, he dug the grave alone while others read their newspapers.

In a country governed by foreigners. A country that has at its head Indigenes of some tribes I love Nigeria, I sincerely do because I possibly have no choice, I could love America, England, Poland, or even neighboring Ghana and become a Nigerian-Arabian or Israeli-born Nigerian it makes no difference because we are Nigerians, we are who we are…exceptional in our way…a people who for several decades have placed their hands on the self-destruct button but somehow it never detonates, we have remained on the 11:59 threshold of everything deadly, dangerous and anti-people yet it never hits 12.

So, I love Nigeria, the land where everything, anything, all things are possible, it depends only on where you stand and what you can benefit from.

From Lagos, our own New York, to Abuja, the expensive London with Beverly Hills homes only for the rich and mighty, to Rivers, Imo, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, our cowboy Texas…We have our Chicago-styled Police; then we have so many Bronx sites where you could get anything from fake passports to late Abacha or Abiola’s signatures.

Need I tell you about our own Afghanistan, our own Syria, or our emerging DRC, or don’t you know there are parts of Nigeria competing favorably with Mexico in terms of abductions and kidnapping?

Nigeria…God’s own country in black Africa, how many times have I been told that even God is Nigerian, especially when we have goofed and expect a miracle or when we are losing a soccer match?

Nigeria is the only country in the world that has no Citizens. What we have in Nigeria are indigenes. All your Privileges, Rights, and Duties as a supposed citizen depend on your “Indigeneship.” Loyalty and Patriotism to Nigeria because of that is zero. Everybody is a Tribal Lord. You cannot be anybody or authority if you don’t subscribe to any clan, state, zone, or tribe.

The Army is a National Body. It has people from all walks of life and tribes as its members. It has a Defence Academy in Kaduna. You were born in Kaduna to Abeokuta parents or even Bolawa Parents from Potiskum. Another one might have Ijaw parents from Delta or Nkanu Parents from Enugu. All born and bred in Kaduna.

If they want to join the Army, Nigeria, a country without citizens, will ask the candidates to go back to their state capital. The capital of their tribe and the center for national disintegration.

Every form you fill out in Nigeria will want to know your tribe and religion. Who Born You? Government officials represent their tribes in government and not Nigeria. Nobody represents Nigeria in anything. We only stand for our tribes to whom we owe our Indigenship.

Every government policy is tailored to denying true Nigerians their citizenship. Every government policy is tailored to promoting Indigenship as against citizenship. That is why Nigeria today is without protection. All the Tribal Lords in Government at all levels work to protect their tribal interests.

Nobody cares about our national interest. They loot and loot and loot the country dry because they have no citizen stake and patriotism. Only indigenous sentiment is what prevails. This is because the government of Nigeria does not care about building the citizens of Nigeria. They are building Indigenes.

The first time I was told that I was not an indigene and could not go to Secondary School with my mates after our Primary school was during an interview by the school Board. I didn’t know until then that being an indigene of certain places and leaving those places to go and stay outside what they call a catchment Area could be detrimental to your existence as a Nigerian.

Early enough in life, I discovered that the government of Nigeria does not give me many options. I must be an indigene to be somebody or something.

True Nigerians are suffering. True Nigerians are relegated because, like James, many just sit to read newspapers, many just sit and read newspapers while Nigerians die in Ibadan because of N5K Charity, at an Islamic High School, others meet their death at a Christian church in Abuja in another stampede to get rice.

We are almost at the end of another year. Maybe we have not collapsed as a nation, but we are still debating whether we are making any progress, patriots like us who keep digging want to see Nigeria win, but the association of newspaper readers want otherwise, will we ever get it right—Only time will tell.

In the labyrinth of Nigerian politics, a leader’s temperament can often dictate the trajectory of his or her career and influence. Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is a man whose political antics are as well-known as his accomplishments. However, his penchant for confrontational and domineering politics, commonly referred to in Nigerian parlance as “gragra”, has stirred debates about its appropriateness in the delicate dance of governance and diplomacy. While Wike’s boldness has brought him success, his style raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of his methods in fostering unity and achieving national progress.

In Nigerian slang, “gragra” connotes an aggressive, combative, and often impatient approach to situations. This style, marked by impulsive decisions and a lack of subtlety, might achieve short-term victories but often proves detrimental in the long run. Wike exemplifies this style in many ways. Known for his fiery rhetoric, public criticisms, and unyielding demeanor, he often approaches politics as though it were a zero-sum game where one either wins decisively or loses entirely.

Wike’s leadership style has earned him both admirers and detractors. Admirers see him as a courageous leader unafraid to speak truth to power, while detractors view him as a divisive figure whose methods undermine the very cohesion necessary for effective governance. For instance, his outspoken criticisms of both opposition and allies, from internal squabbles within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to his confrontations with fellow politicians, frequently overshadow his achievements, leaving questions about whether his “gragra” is an asset or a liability.

In politics, perception is almost as important as performance. A leader’s ability to inspire confidence among his or her constituents, allies, and even opponents is crucial for creating an atmosphere conducive to progress. Confrontational politics, however, breeds division and resentment. Wike’s approach often leaves him in a precarious position where he must rely solely on his own charisma and resources to advance his agenda. This can lead to political isolation, a dangerous scenario in a system as collaborative as Nigerian politics.

Moreover, his methods risk alienating the very people he seeks to lead. Take, for example, his tenure as Rivers State governor. While his administration delivered on infrastructure projects and improved security in the state, his confrontations with local and national figures often diverted attention from these achievements. Critics argue that his governance style could have been even more impactful had he spent less time on public spats and more on building bridges.

Politics is often described as the art of negotiation, persuasion, and compromise. Effective leaders are those who can rally people around a common vision, even when disagreements arise. Diplomacy and tact are essential tools in fostering relationships and maintaining the delicate balance needed for progress.

Wike’s recent actions, including his public criticisms of fellow politicians and perceived high-handedness in governance, have raised eyebrows. For example, his declaration that “Rivers money is not Abuja money” during his governorship was a pointed jab at federal authorities. While his rhetoric earned him applause for standing up for state autonomy, it also strained relationships with key stakeholders who could have been instrumental in furthering Rivers’ interests.

Nigeria’s political landscape is replete with examples of leaders who fell from grace due to their inability to manage relationships. The late Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, a respected politician, once remarked that politics is about people and the relationships you nurture. Leaders who alienate others in their quest to dominate often find themselves isolated when they need support the most.

Consider the case of former Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode, whose failure to manage political relationships within his party cost him a second term. Despite his stellar performance in infrastructure development and urban planning, his lack of diplomacy alienated key stakeholders, leading to his ouster during the party primaries. Wike risks a similar fate if his confrontational style continues unchecked.

As the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike has stepped onto a larger stage where his actions and words carry even greater weight. The FCT is not just a region; it is the administrative and political nerve center of Nigeria. Managing the FCT requires a nuanced approach that balances the interests of diverse groups, from residents to international stakeholders.

Wike’s initial days in office have been marked by decisive actions, such as the demolition of illegal structures and attempts to restore the city’s master plan. While these actions resonate with his reputation for taking bold steps, they also highlight the need for a more inclusive approach. Critics argue that while enforcement of the law is necessary, doing so without adequate consultation and consideration of the human impact risks creating resentment among affected populations.

Wike’s intelligence, experience, and achievements are not in doubt. However, to sustain relevance in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, he must temper his “gragra” with humility and diplomacy. The ability to listen, build consensus, and embrace differing opinions is what distinguishes great leaders from merely effective ones.

For instance, his relationships with other political figures could benefit from a more conciliatory approach. Rather than burning bridges with allies and opponents alike, Wike should focus on creating alliances that amplify his influence and effectiveness. This is particularly important as he navigates the complexities of federal politics, where success often depends on collaboration rather than confrontation.

Wike’s leadership journey offers valuable lessons for other politicians. While boldness and decisiveness are admirable traits, they must be balanced with tact and empathy. Nigerian politics is not a battlefield; it is a forum for collective problem-solving. Leaders who approach governance with a combative mindset risk alienating the very people they are meant to serve.

Wike’s tenure as FCT Minister provides a unique opportunity for him to demonstrate that he can adapt his style to meet the demands of national leadership. Nigerians are watching, not just for his ability to deliver infrastructure and services, but also for his capacity to lead with grace and inclusivity.

In politics, passion without restraint can become a liability. Wike must recognize that governance is not about scoring points in a personal vendetta but about creating a legacy of progress and unity. The question remains: Will he adapt, or will his “gragra” continue to overshadow his potential for greatness?

In the grand scheme of things, Wike’s gragra is both a blessing and a curse. While it propels him to act decisively and stand firm in the face of opposition, it also risks alienating allies and undermining his broader goals. As he continues his journey in national politics, Wike must embrace a more diplomatic approach, recognising that true leadership lies in bringing people together, not driving them apart.

Ultimately, “gragra” nor good for politics. The time has come for Wike to refine his approach, proving that boldness and diplomacy can coexist in the pursuit of progress and unity.

Without a doubt, Nyesom Wike, Nigeria’s combative and controversial political figure, has earned a reputation for his fiery rhetoric and unapologetic “gragra” style of politics. As Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, Wike’s approach often reflects an unyielding determination to push his agenda, regardless of dissenting opinions. While some argue that his boldness and decisive actions are what Nigeria needs in its leadership, others view his style as polarizing and counterproductive. For instance, his strict enforcement of policies in the FCT has been praised for attempting to restore order and discipline in Abuja, but it has also drawn criticism for displacing vulnerable communities and creating tension among stakeholders.  

The question of whether Wike’s “gragra politics” is a blessing or a curse depends on perspective. On one hand, his proactive stance could drive much-needed reforms in governance, bringing accountability and action to sectors plagued by stagnation. On the other hand, his confrontational approach risks alienating key allies and fostering an atmosphere of fear rather than collaboration. Critics argue that governance thrives on diplomacy and inclusiveness, elements often overshadowed in Wike’s method. As Nigerians debate his legacy, one thing is clear: Wike’s unrelenting style has left an indelible mark on the nation’s political landscape, sparking conversations about the balance between assertive leadership and collective progress.  

A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, on Sunday appealed to President Bola Tinubu to rescue Nigerians from a debt trap in order to fulfill his Renewed Hope Agenda and allow citizens to breathe.

Okechukwu lamented that he cannot fathom how the Renewed Hope Agenda will bring the intended succor to Nigerians when the country is burdened with all manner of debts, both local and foreign, “prohibitive interest rates on treasury bills, dangerous dollar-denominated loans, and short-term Eurobonds, making the fiscal restructuring of debt service imperative.”

In a statement he signed, Okechukwu humbly appealed to the president, citing Benjamin Franklin’s admonition that “he who goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing,” and called for a high-powered panel of inquiry to reexamine Nigeria’s debts to uncover genuine and less-than-transparent debt transactions.

He cautioned that the huge debt burden threatens Nigeria’s nascent democracy and drains resources meant for health, education, and poverty alleviation.

According to Okechukwu: “It is regrettable that the budget for Defence (N4.91tr), Infrastructure (N4.06tr), Education (N3.52tr), and Health (N2.48tr), totaling N14.97tr, is far less than the N15.8trillion budgeted for debt service.”

Okechukwu acknowledged the removal of fuel subsidies, giving kudos to President Tinubu, but lamented that the humongous debt service has now become the new anti-production elephant in the room.

He said: “Yes, the fuel subsidy is gone, albeit the subsidy regime had links to the planlessness and squandermania that governed the sordid debt exercise. Or do we forget outliers like when Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the current WTO President, instituted a panel that probed and found that the fuel subsidy was riddled with corruption, upon which the culprits resorted to kidnapping her mother?”

“Accordingly, Mr. President should dust off Okonjo-Iweala’s files and other bad loan files with the intent to recover monies and return Nigeria to a productive economy.”

Okechukwu recalled with nostalgia that Nigeria’s first loan from the Paris Club in 1964 was $13.1 million for the construction of the Niger Dam. He also mentioned Nigeria’s debt relief deal under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration in 2005, where $35.994 billion in debt was canceled.

He noted, paradoxically, that today, Nigeria’s debt burden stands at N121.67 trillion, equivalent to $91.46 billion USD.

“The only way to break the fetters of the debt burden, as we did in 2005, is through fiscal restructuring. In other words, a high-powered multilateral panel of inquiry must ascertain our actual debt and seek debt cancellation,” he said.

On what must be done, the former Director General of Voice of Nigeria urged President Tinubu to make bold decisions.

Okechukwu added: “I agree totally with President Tinubu that we must make bold decisions, even though they may be painful. Accordingly, the necessary bold decisions at this critical juncture are not excessive taxation or high tariffs, but a multilateral, high-powered panel of inquiry comprising eminent local and international statesmen to reexamine our domestic and foreign debts as the only answer to save Nigerians from the debt trap.

“And secondly, plug corruption and restrict borrowing to only critical infrastructure through humanitarian groups like SUKUK and friends of Nigeria.”

The Ondo State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Dr Kayode Ajulo, has warned that any traditional rulers found culpable in land grabbing would be sent to jail.

Ajulo, who was reacting to the Anti-Land Grabbing Bill before the state House of the Assembly, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure that some traditional rulers were behind cases of land grabbing.

“Government will not shy away from stepping on toes. I must confess, I like to speak my mind, that some of our traditional rulers have caused a lot of problems when it comes to the issue of land grabbing.

“They may be in their palaces, but send people out to cause mayhem. Many a time, we see how they use cutlasses to cut each other’s heads.

“Anytime some Kabiyesi are being picked, with due respect, and sent to jail on this issue, nobody should complain.

“We know what is good and we know what is bad.

“The law is proposed to ensure legislative promulgation in addressing unlawful entry of landed property and violent conduct related to landed property,” he stated.

The commissioner said that Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa also recently signed an Executive Order to address the issue of land-grabbing

According to him, there is a need to tackle the menace appropriately.

“Last week, the governor signed Executive Order 2024 to tackle the menace in Ondo State.

“Don’t be surprised, and I’m not a prophet of doom, many may be affected.

[TheNation]

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed allegations made by Amnesty International in its report, describing the claims as false, misleading, and damaging to the image of the force.

The report, dated November 28, 2024, accused the police of extrajudicial killings during the protests, claiming that at least 24 people were killed in six northern states.

Titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests,” the report has been refuted by the police, who assert that their findings contradict Amnesty International’s allegations.

Addressing a press briefing on the matter on Sunday, Force Spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi revealed that a special investigative panel had been constituted to verify the claims.

“Amnesty International is advised to reflect on its frequent false reporting on Nigeria’s law enforcement activities and ensure its reports are accurate and contain a true and fair representation of events affecting national security and public safety. Accurate reporting of facts is essential to the integrity of any international organisation, and Amnesty International should not be an exception,” Adejobi said.

He added that the police would write to demand a retraction of the report as well as a public apology for the alleged inaccuracies.

“The Nigeria Police Force will, in due course, write to Amnesty International to demand the retraction of this report from the public domain along with a public apology. The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in protecting the rights of all citizens while ensuring the security and stability of the nation. We, therefore, urge the public to be wary of sensational reports designed to incite mistrust and weaken confidence in law enforcement institutions,” Adejobi said.

Reeling out the police findings in Borno, Adejobi said the police didn’t use grenades as claimed by the organisation.

He said, “In Borno State, it was established that the protesters were violent, engaging in widespread looting, pillaging, and wanton destruction of public and private property. For example, the Skill Acquisition Centre of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees was looted and vandalised.

“The warehouse of the World Food Programme, located on Baga/Maimalari Barracks Road, Maiduguri, was also looted, with several items belonging to the international organisation destroyed and stolen by some of the protesters.

“Therefore, the claims by Amnesty International that the police threw a hand grenade from a convoy of vehicles into a filling station killing three persons is a blatant falsehood and leaves right-thinking members of society dismayed at this reported falsehood by an international agency that ought to act in accordance with international norms and standards of fair and honest reporting of human rights violations in the country.”

In Niger State, Adejobi said the claim that three individuals were shot dead in Suleja was debunked in the police findings.

Adejobi said the alleged killing of a 21-year-old in Katsina was also found to be unsubstantiated, adding that local sources confirmed that no such incident occurred.

Also in Kaduna State, Adejobi said contrary to Amnesty International’s report, no protests occurred in Kaduna on October 1, 2024, and no police killings were recorded.

He said instead, an incident involving the Nigerian Army was identified and openly investigated.

Adejobi said Amnesty International reported the deaths of two women and a man during protests in Jigawa, but the police investigations revealed no such killings, and evidence suggested that the lone fatality was caused by protester violence, not police action.

In Kano State, Adejobi said the report alleged 12 deaths in Kano due to police actions, stating that investigations indicated that these deaths resulted from violent confrontations involving looters and criminals, not police activity.

The handling of the on-going defamation case between legal giant, Afe Babalola and social activist, Dele Farotimi has provided strong evidence that Nigeria has probably lost its fight against media trial. Many years back, there was the well-articulated viewpoint that because the word “trial” is associated with the process of justice, trial by the media constitutes an undue interference in the process of justice delivery.

The argument has since been overtaken by the nature of social media which has made public communication exceedingly rampant, just as lawyers have themselves contributed to the development by engaging in the new wave of minute-by-minute commentary on cases already before a court of justice. Apart from publicity-seeking lawyers, some others with scanty briefs are too anxious to let the public know that they are learned.

Unfortunately, the Nigerian public has not been well served by the trend in which both parties in the case have already found one another guilty. In the process, the parties have also made it easy to identify the bias of each commentator while establishing that Nigerian law was in a state of confusion. The original point made was that Farotimi was smuggled into Ekiti from Lagos for trial because libel had been decriminalized in Lagos state.

Another version said Lagos and Edo states were the only two states where libel had been downgraded to civil wrong before it was realized that Ekiti itself had done same in 2021. Those who were thus unable to comprehend why the charge was read in Ekiti were later informed that it was still a crime as a federal offence. So, how can anyone pacify the social media mob with the gossip that a federal crime was being happily prosecuted in Ekiti which had decriminalized same offence in her own territory? 

Here, one can say that the irrepressible prolific writer Chidi Odinkalu may have greatly influenced some of the views of the social media activists. Odinkalu had recalled the story of Paul Anyebe a judge in Benue state who was once prosecuted on a-two count charge of attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms. On the latter, he was convicted in the lower courts but freed at the Supreme Court. What the apex court established was that the illegal possession of firearms being a federal offence could only be prosecuted by the Attorney General of the Federation. Expectedly, the public may not have understood why Dele Farotimi was being tried in Ekiti state for criminal libel which is a federal offence. In the circumstance, any person was free to believe that the trial of Farotimi in Ado Ekiti was influenced by some big personality.

The views of a few conservative intellectuals on Babalola’s side did not convince some ‘diehards.’ As one commentator on social media observed, the write-up with the title “Dele Farotimi: When activism is no licence to defame” gave an impression that the accused had already been found guilty hence the conclusion that activism was no licence to defame others. No one could have defamed anybody yet until after judgment.

As a matter of fact, with a few people already volunteering to testify in favour of Farotimi, the presumption of guilt is shaken. At the same time, writers on the side of the complainant have spent ample time telling us about the great achievements of Babalola as if the man’s career and feat were in doubt. There is nothing strange about people seeking to bring down a great character because it is only those on top that can be brought down. One commentator was so incensed that he reduced the issue to how African culture expects young people to respect elders.

Those who were unable to immediately comprehend the overwhelming public interest in the matter were wrongly thinking of Babalola and Farotimi. They greatly missed the point because what attracted everyone to the subject was the common public pain of judicial corruption in the country. Nigerians are not pleased with the judiciary. The other day when Chief Justice Kekere Ekun tried to explain the problem of conflicting judgments, one critic on radio merely reminded listeners that the ugly trend was a recent phenomenon. To be honest, too many inexplicable things have happened in Nigeria of recent; a good example being the case of a governorship election petition in which the oral judgment was the opposite of the certified true copy of the same judgment.

Again, although criminal libel is a written law that can be located and read, it still did not make sense to many people. On the other hand, it is easy to appreciate civil defamation where anyone who was defamed could sue and be compensated for whatever damage was done. It is truly hard to convince people that Farotimi’s alleged defamation against Babalola should be punished as if he defamed every other person whose names he never mentioned in his book. Consequently, social media mob can never understand how the attack on a particular person’s reputation can adversely affect the reputation of another person who was not referred to in the statement that was considered to be defamatory.  For as long as it exists, criminal libel will always be perceived more as bad law.

From the above, it is obvious that decriminalizing libel in Nigeria is overdue. It is indeed one of the failings of our national assembly that obsolete colonial laws of sedition and criminal libel are still in our law books more than half a century after the colonialists who originated them had left Nigeria. The obsolete laws are no doubt an affront on free speech provided for by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic 1999 and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights Act. Each time this argument is presented, it is countered by the purpose of Section 45 of our constitution which recognizes that certain laws are reasonably justifiable in a democracy. Is it justifiably reasonable to take aspects of the law of sedition and incorporate them into the Cybercrimes act to harass citizens? Is it not repugnant to criminalize libel and equate an attack on a person’s reputation to an attack on government and the entire society? 

To make matters worse the procedure attached to criminal libel can hardly meet the course of justice making it clearly undesirable. What usually happens is that when a person files a petition, accusing someone of making a false or damaging statement against him or her, the accused is usually brutalized even before the case is determined or indeed before getting to the point of saying anything. In the case of Farotimi for example, he was placed on handcuffs, denied bail and imprisoned for no less than two weeks without any opportunity to even show that he can prove the truth of his allegation.  Yet, the law accepts truth as an absolute defence. Such a procedure can only be forcefully justified in a dictatorship and not a democracy.

Since we are no longer under colonial or military rule, it is important to repeal criminal libel so that a party that can win a case at the end is not first brutalized before the case starts just as the loser’s sanction comes only after conviction. Nigeria would certainly be better off if sufficient attention is paid to law reforms. One of the advantages of such is that it produces a uniform system of laws and justice delivery. The situation of a few states decriminalizing libel while the federal system remains stagnant is ill advisable. Besides, it is not in the interest of the nation to focus on yearly review of electoral act while obsolete colonial laws remain in our books. 

We have had ample time to change the situation. As far back as 1985 when former governor Jim Nwobodo sued one writer, Arthur Nwankwo over an article he wrote criticising the governor, Hon Justice Olatawura JCA made the following profound statements: “we are no longer the illiterates or the mob society our colonial masters had in mind when certain laws were promulgated. Let us not diminish from the freedom gained from our colonial masters by resorting to laws enacted by them to suit their purpose.” Instead, let us enjoy the freedom of democracy that at the same time abhors reckless statements that can hurt the reputation that some citizens have built over the years.