Ali Ndume, the federal lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District in the National Assembly (NASS), has stated that the tax reform bills sent by President Bola Tinubu are “dead on arrival.”

Ndume explained, “Our people are saying they don’t want the VAT bill, they don’t even want to hear about it. That is why we are going to make it dead on arrival,” urging President Tinubu to heed the advice of the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Northern Governors’ Forum and withdraw the bills immediately.

The lawmaker who made the remarks on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme argued that the Federal Government should be looking to reduce, rather than increase, the tax burden on Nigerians.

His words, “The general sentiment is that Nigerians are not willing to talk about or pay any tax now, considering the economic situation we are in.

“Nigerians are willing to pay taxes but only when they can afford it. Right now, people are struggling to survive. Let people live first before you start asking them for taxes.”

“It will be fair to shut the bill down; it is the fairest thing to do,” indicating that he has started rallying support among colleagues to reject the bills.”

Ndume, a member of the President’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), also commented that the Tinubu administration should focus on reforming itself rather than increasing taxes.

“What he [Tinubu] needs to do is to withdraw the bill, educate Nigerians, and make us understand it. We are representing the people, and they have already made their stance clear,” he said.

“The governors and traditional rulers have said that the bill is not good. So, the best course of action is to withdraw it immediately. Right now, our people don’t want the VAT bill; they don’t even want to hear about it. That is why we are going to make it dead on arrival.”

The tax reform bills, currently in the National Assembly, have faced substantial criticism, with the 36 state governors urging the President to withdraw them.

However, the President has stated the bills will not be withdrawn, though he is open to “inputs and necessary changes” from lawmakers.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it does not import adulterated premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.

Olufemi Soneye, chief corporate communications officer of NNPC, spoke on Tuesday while responding to protesters demanding the removal of Mele Kyari, the company’s group chief executive officer (CEO).

According to NAN, civil society organisations stormed NNPC headquarters in Abuja to protest the hike in petrol price.

Soneye challenged anyone to provide evidence that NNPC is importing adulterated petrol.

“The NNPC Ltd. does not import adulterated fuel. If anyone has evidence to the contrary, they should bring forward samples of any such fuel imported by NNPC Ltd,” he said.

“We have more pressing projects to accomplish to ensure energy security for our nation.”

On November 3, Dangote Petroleum Refinery said any oil marketer selling petrol cheaper than the refiner is importing substandard products.

Dangote refinery made the claim after some oil marketers said the refiner’s product is higher than imported petrol.

Also, Soneye said Kyari is not responsible for the increase in petrol price.

NNPC raised the price of petrol from N855 per litre in September to N998 per litre on October 3.

On October 28, NNPC increased the pump price for the second time last month to N1,025 in Lagos, and N1,050 in Abuja.

Soneye said only those without knowledge would blame the CEO for the price increase.

“If they were informed, they would know that the GCEO is not responsible for the fuel price increase,” he said.

“In fact, the GCEO ensured that Nigerians had access to fuel at N620 per litre for over a year, even when the landing cost was above N1,100.”

Soneye said despite the protests, NNPC would not be distracted from achieving the goal of implementing President Bola Tinubu’s roadmap for energy security in Nigeria.

The Chairman, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Alhaji Isa Salihu Kalenjeni has raised the alarm over a foreign based armed religious group occupying a forest across five LGAs of the state, saying the group offers “youths N1 million for membership.”

The group locally known as Lakurawa was said to have migrated from Libya, Mali and Niger Republic and camped at Tsauni forest which stretches up to Niger Republic.

Lakuwarawa was said to have launched one of the deadliest attacks in the area that resulted in the killing of four soldiers on patrol along Gudu road recently.

Speaking to newsmen, Kalenjeni said that members of the group had been preaching and imposing some laws in the neighbouring villages.

“They are forcing people to pay Zakkat and at the same time robbing people of their belongings. Just recently, they robbed a shop owner of N2 million. They also seized his car and released it after he paid N350,000,” the chairman said.

He added that the armed group, who claimed to be fighting Nigerian government, had also robbed four motorcycles in Balle, the headquarters of Gudu LGA.

Kalenjeni said the bandits, who had been terrorising locals, had joined forces with the group.

“They usually come to our communities during the day and go back to the forest in the night. They also have drones which they use in monitoring the movement of security operatives,” he said.

Also corroborating this, the Deputy Governor of the state, Engr Idris Gobir, said an assessment carried out indicated that the group possesed sophisticated weapons and their criminal activities were observed in about 5 LGAs of the state.

Speaking while receiving participants of Course 33 of the National Defence College, Abuja, who were on study tour in the state on Monday, Gobir said this sad development was happening at the time when the state was battling banditry activities.

He, however, said security authorities were working assiduously to address the emerging threat.

Gobir further said the state government had been working closely with the federal security agencies to address numerous security threats to lives and properties of the people of the state.

He expressed hope that the study tour would provide the required insight to the authorities on the nature of the unfolding criminal activities and proffer solutions that would guarantee security of lives and peaceful coexistence among people.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Air Vice Marshal Titus Zuwahu Dauda, said the team would make oral presentation and written report on its study tour to the state.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says in the 17 months of his administration, Nigeria’s revenue-to-debt service ratio has reduced to 65% from 97%.

President Tinubu made this known on Monday in his address during the swearing in ceremony of seven newly appointed Ministers, held at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.

The President who affirmed that the Nigerian economy is on the horizon despite the enormous task of re-engineering and re-tooling the economy of the nation, added that his administration has never defaulted in paying or meeting both foreign and domestic obligations.

“Economic recovery is on the horizon. We have a good path to realise our dreams, and it is not just only for us; it is for our children and grandchildren despite the challenges to face the job of re-engineering and retooling the economic path of this country,” the president stated.

The Nigerian Leader acknowledged the increasing cost of living while emphasizing that the federal government is currently satisfying the obligation of paying a new minimum wage across the board.

“Yes, cost of living is gone up, I recognise that and we have satisfied the obligation of paying a new minimum wage across the board.

“For us it was a challenge when the nation was servicing its debt with 97 percent of its revenue, but today I can report to you that we brought that one down and it is at to 65% and we have never defaulted in paying or meet all obligations but foreign and domestic,” he said.

Referencing challenges confronting other countries of the world, the Nigerian Leader asserted the firm control of his administration, saying the Nigerian government under his supervision is working hard and navigating the several difficulties posed by the COVID Pandemic.

“We have our head above the water all other countries too around us and across the world are facing challenges. In fact there’s a lot of crime in Europe and America.

“What pandemic has brought to the economics of the world but we are navigating through this and we are working hard,” President Tinubu added.

Donald Trump was projected to become the 47th president early Wednesday, completing the most incredible political comeback in American history.

Trump, 78, was on course for an Electoral College landslide over Vice President Kamala Harris after he reversed his 2020 losses in the crucial states of Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — running up big margins among his white rural and working class base while making significant inroads among ethnic minorities.

“There’s never been anything like this in this country, and maybe beyond,” the Republican nominee told a rapturous victory celebration at the Palm Beach County Convention Center not far from his Mar-a-Lago resort.

“We’re going to help our country heal,” Trump added, “and it needs help very badly. We’re going to fix our borders … fix everything about our country.”

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

Announcement of the Passing of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56.

He passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.

Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.

His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.

Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.

He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.

An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.

Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.

President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)

IN THE NEWS:

The state currently receives ~30 M W from the National Grid