The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has voiced cautious support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills, while urging transparency, inclusivity, and broad public participation in the process.....Read Full Article>>

In a statement released on his official Twitter account, Obi described tax reform as a “critical issue” for Nigeria but emphasized that it must be approached thoughtfully and inclusively.

He called for public hearings to ensure that Nigerians from diverse backgrounds have a platform to engage in the reform process. “Tax reform is a critical issue, and there is nothing wrong with pursuing it,” Obi stated.

“However, such reform must be subject to robust and informed public debate. A public hearing on tax reform is essential, allowing Nigerians from all walks of life to engage meaningfully. This is how we build public trust and ensure inclusivity in policymaking.”

Obi highlighted the importance of considering the broader impact of tax reforms, beyond merely increasing government revenue. He argued that any policy changes must take into account their overall effects on the nation’s economic and social sustainability.

“When considering tax reforms and similar issues, it is insufficient to focus solely on the benefits to the government, particularly in terms of increasing revenue collection. We must also take into account the overall impact on the nation and the sustainability of all its regions,” Obi said.

Acknowledging the significance of reform, Obi urged the government to prioritize public sensitization and secure buy-in from citizens to foster trust and legitimacy in governance.

“Let us prioritize transparency, deliberation, and public engagement in charting the path forward. This is how we build a truly participatory democracy,” he concluded.

Obi’s statement comes amid growing debates on Tinubu’s tax reform agenda, with some critics arguing it could impose undue burdens on ordinary Nigerians. His endorsement, tempered with calls for transparency and public dialogue, underscores the need for a balanced approach that aligns economic policy with the interests of the people.

Joe Igbokwe, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has alleged that the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, owns the newly seized Abuja estate with 753 duplexes, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently took over.....Read Full Article>>

The APC chieftain made this claim while reacting to the EFCC’s announcement on Monday, December 2.

According to the EFCC, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the forfeiture of the estate in his judgment on Monday evening. On Monday, December 2, the EFCC announced that it had made the largest single asset recovery since its establishment in 2003. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled on the final forfeiture of an estate located on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.

Joe Igbokwe stated that former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele is the owner of the 753 duplexes forfeited by the FCT Court to the EFCC.

According to the anti-graft agency, the estate measures 150,500 square meters and contains 753 units of duplexes and other apartments. Justice Onwuegbuzie ruled that the property should be forfeited to the federal government.

Read Also: President Tinubu Appoints Adeboye Adeyinka

Reacting to the report, Joe Igbokwe, in a Facebook post on Monday evening, December 2, alleged that the property belonged to the immediate past governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

“I hear with one ear that the 753 duplexes forfeited by an FCT Court in Apo belong to former CBN Gov Godwin Emefiele. This one choked me to the marrow. Many Nigerians no dey fear God again oooo. Godwin Emefiele is one of them.”

Although the EFCC did not mention the estate’s owner, the anti-graft agency has probed the former apex bank governor and has secured several court judgments to take over the ownership of Emefiele’s property.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has disputed claims by Amnesty International that the police used excessive force and k!lled 24 citizens during the nationwide End Bad Governance protests, also tagged Hunger protests, that held between August 1 and 10.....Read Full Article>>

Reacting to the report by Amnesty International, Egbetokun said that contrary to the claim by Amnesty, seven d£@ths, and not 24, were recorded during the protests, and the police were not responsible for the d£@ths.

Amnesty International had in its report released last week alleged that no fewer than 24 protesters were k!lled and over 1,200 others detained by the Nigeria Police during the nationwide demonstrations.

The organisation stated that those k!lled included 20 young people, an older adult, and two children.

Reacting to the report, the IG, in a statement on Monday, Dec. 2, by the Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, described the allegations as unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with incident reports submitted to his office by affected commands.

Egbetokun said, “The Nigeria Police Force has expressed serious concern regarding a recent 34-page report released by Amnesty International, which alleges police culpability in the deaths and arrests of protesters, and the use of excessive force during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024.

“The Force categorically refutes these allegations as unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with incident reports submitted to the office of the Inspector-General of Police by affected commands”.

Egbetokun maintained that throughout the protests police officers conducted themselves professionally by the rules of engagement.

He said, “The Force wishes to reiterate that throughout the protests, it operated in compliance with established rules of engagement, including providing security for peaceful protesters.

“The Inspector-General of Police had issued clear directives to all Commissioners of Police on managing the protests, emphasising that officers should not deploy arms to manage protests.

“Instead, arms were only to be used when protests escalated into riots involving loss of lives and property damage. Even then, engagement with armed protesters was limited strictly to specialised armed units to restore order.”

“The Nigeria Police Force recorded several unpalatable incidents during the protests, which were accurately documented and publicly shared.

“For example, in Borno State, four individuals tragically lost their lives, and 34 others sustained severe injuries following an attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP operatives who infiltrated the protest and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device.

“Similarly, in another isolated incident, an unregistered vehicle rammed into protesters, resulting in two fatalities. These events, which accounted for the total of seven recorded deaths during the protests, were not caused by police actions.”

Egbetokun stated that in states where foreign flags were displayed, police officers were attacked, and properties were destroyed, the force deployed tear gas to prevent further escalation and maintain public safety.

He said, “Furthermore, in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Nasarawa, and Niger States, some protesters displayed foreign flags, destroyed public and private property, and attacked police personnel deployed to ensure their safety.

“The Police Force had to employ strategic measures, including the lawful use of tear gas, to prevent further escalation and ensure public safety. The use of tear gas is a globally accepted practice for dispersing unruly crowds and was applied judiciously without recourse to live ammunition.”

The IG insisted that the police didn’t fire live ammunition or cause the death of protesters during the protests.

Egbetokun said, “It is important to state that the police did not fire live ammunition nor caused the death of any protester. Officers demonstrated professionalism, restraint, and adherence to constitutional and international standards, even when subjected to attacks and injuries.

“Arrests made during the protests targeted individuals engaging in criminal acts such as treason, vandalism, robbery, arson, and looting. These arrests were conducted lawfully, and those detained were treated within the ambit of the law.

“In a gesture of magnanimity, the Federal Government has since granted pardon to the individuals arrested during the protests despite the severity of their offences, evidencing its commitment to reconciliation and national unity.”

Egbetokun ordered investigations into the claims by Amnesty International, directing the affected Commissioners of Police to submit a detailed incident report within one week.

He said, “In response to Amnesty International’s allegations, the IGP has directed a comprehensive investigation into the claims. Commissioners of Police in the affected states have been mandated to submit further detailed reports on the incidents within one week. This directive aims to identify any deviation from the Standard Operating Procedures and rules of engagement, irrespective of the security agencies involved.”

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has urged northerners to reconsider their opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills, which have sparked significant concerns among northern leaders.....Read Full Article>>

The reforms, currently under consideration by the National Assembly, have drawn criticism for potentially imposing a disproportionate burden on the region.

The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), representing 19 states, amplified these concerns after consultations with the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, calling for a thorough review of the bills. Speaking during a Channels Television town hall meeting on the reforms, Dogara appealed to northern governors and elites to adopt a forward-looking perspective, highlighting the potential long-term advantages of the proposed changes.

“I want to talk to my brothers in the North,” Dogara said. “I don’t think this is the time for us to begin to condemn the president and to begin to say that on account of these bills, he is anti-north. I want to remind us that the president has done something significant.

“If he can pursue this to the end, it would be that there is no northern leader of my lifetime that has done what the president has done for the North. And I will tell you what he has achieved—the creation of the livestock ministry. There is a global business around that.

“The global market size of dairies and beef in the next three years will rise to about $2.5 trillion. You can Google it. So if in the North, we are able to organize ourselves in such a way that we can corner just 5%, just 5% of this global market size of dairies and beef, I tell you that gives us $250 billion.

“We don’t need VAT from any state in Nigeria to survive. The North can survive on its own. We are the most endowed part of Nigeria.”

Dogara also addressed concerns about the timing of the reforms and the perceived lack of adequate consultations. He dismissed these criticisms, emphasizing that the focus should remain on the transformative potential of the reforms rather than the procedural or political issues surrounding their introduction.

Simon Ekpa, the self- proclaimed leader of the factional Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been denied bail by Finnish authorities, and will remain in prison for the next six months as he awaits his trial in May 2025.....Read Full Article>>

This shocking development has stirred mixed reactions globally, especially in relation to his arrest on November 21, 2024. Ekpa, who leads the Auto Pilot faction of IPOB, has been accused of financing terrorism and inciting violence in Nigeria’ s southeastern region, including attacks on security agencies.

Finnish police have detained him as part of an investigation into his alleged involvement in international terrorism and terrorism financing. The crime is said to have been committed between August 23, 2021, and November 18, 2024, in Lahti, Finland.

A Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’ s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, explained that due to the severity of the charges against Ekpa, bail is not an option under Finnish law.

Laaksonen clarified, ” Finnish criminal procedure/coercive measures do not recognise bail procedure. Our procedure is based on remand or travel bans, depending on the case. ”

The decision to keep Ekpa in detention for six months before his trial in May 2025 has been a significant move by Finnish authorities. This step is a direct response to the grave nature of the charges Ekpa faces. His case has drawn attention due to his leadership in IPOB’ s call for Biafran independence, a cause that has led to violent clashes in Nigeria’ s southeastern region.

In an ironic twist, the mainstream IPOB, led by Nnamdi Kanu, has distanced itself from Ekpa, denying his leadership and actions. Kanu, who was arrested by the Nigerian government in 2021, is currently facing his own trial for alleged terrorism.

As Ekpa’ s trial date approaches, many are waiting to see how this case will unfold, especially with the Finnish authorities’ firm stance against his release on bail.

Nigeria’ s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has defended the decisions he made during the Nigerian Civil War (1967- 1970), stating he has no regrets about his actions.....Read Full Article>>

Obasanjo, a retired Army General, played a pivotal role in the federal government’ s military campaign against the Biafran forces, which ultimately ended the war.

Speaking at a reception organized by the Peoples Democratic Party in his honor, Obasanjo reiterated that his choices during the war were in the country’ s best interest. ” I don’ t have any regret over some actions or decisions taken then, and I don’ t have any apology over that, because it was in the interest of all, ” he said.

The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, remains a controversial and deeply emotional chapter in the nation’ s history. The conflict, which erupted after the southeastern region declared independence as the Republic of Biafra, led to widespread famine, displacement, and the deaths of over a million people.

Prominent intellectuals, including renowned author Chinua Achebe, have accused the Nigerian government of committing genocide against the Igbos during the war. Achebe’ s writings, along with others, have sparked enduring debates over the conduct of the war and the policies of the federal government, including the military strategies employed by figures like Obasanjo.

Despite the criticisms, Obasanjo has maintained that his actions were guided by a commitment to national unity. His comments at the event underscored this perspective, as he called on Nigerians to move beyond the painful legacy of the war and work towards the country’ s development. ” It is time for us to put the memory of the civil war behind us and concentrate on the development and growth of Nigeria as a nation, ” he said.

Obasanjo shared a personal account of the war, revealing how he narrowly escaped a life- threatening injury when shrapnel struck his pelvic region during combat. This incident underscores the physical and emotional toll of the war on soldiers who fought on both sides.

The former president also recounted a story about his late cousin, who passed away at the age of 92. His cousin remained convinced until his death that his missing son, a casualty of the war, was still alive and living in the defunct Biafran Republic. This anecdote highlighted the enduring scars of the conflict on families and communities.

Addressing another aspect of his military career, Obasanjo denied participating in any of the coups that shaped Nigeria’ s political history. He clarified that while he was consulted by coup planners after the fact, he never played an active role. ” I have never participated in any coup; I just sit down jeje [calmly]… and they later get in touch with me, ” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.

Obasanjo rose to prominence as vice military ruler in 1975 after a coup ousted General Yakubu Gowon. He later became head of state following the assassination of General Murtala Muhammed in 1976, steering Nigeria towards a democratic transition in 1979.

While Obasanjo’ s role in the civil war continues to spark debate, his call for unity underscores his enduring influence. As Nigeria faces ongoing challenges, his reflections serve as a reminder of the need to prioritize reconciliation and collective progress.

In a startling turn of events, Simon Ekpa, the so- called ” autopilot leader” of the Biafran independence movement, has made serious allegations concerning the circumstances surrounding his arrest in Finland.....Read Full Article>>

According to recent reports, Ekpa has accused his Chief of Staff of orchestrating his detention. He revealed these accusations during a visit from his council members while he was incarcerated in a Finnish prison.

This shocking claim has raised eyebrows and intensified discussions regarding the internal dynamics of his leadership and the ongoing struggles within the movement.

Meanwhile, The Finnish police have announced that Simon Ekpa, who has declared himself the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will remain in custody until his trial.

According to authorities, the Finnish legal system does not allow for bail given the severity of the charges against him. Ekpa was arrested on November 21 in Finland and was later incarcerated by the Päijät- Häme district court for allegedly disseminating terrorist propaganda on social media. This offense is said to have occurred in 2021 in the municipality of Lahti.

Ekpa faces serious allegations of inciting violence and promoting terror in southeastern Nigeria through his social media activities. The Nigerian federal government has been actively seeking his extradition for prosecution.

Furthermore, Ekpa is set to appear in court for these charges in May 2025. When questioned about the possibility of bail in Ekpa’ s case, Mikko Laaksonen, a senior detective superintendent at Finland’ s National Bureau of Investigation, explained that Finnish criminal procedure does not recognize bail as an option. Instead, the system utilizes measures such as remand or travel bans to restrict the movement of individuals suspected of serious offenses.

Ndigbo Reaction To Ekpa’ s Arrest
The Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo has expressed that it does not recognize Simon Ekpa as a leader among the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), asserting that Nnamdi Kanu remains their sole recognized leader. This statement was made by Damian Okeke- Ogene, the Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Worldwide, during a press conference.

The organization emphasized its focus on securing the release of Nnamdi Kanu, believing that his freedom is essential for restoring peace in Igbo land. Okeke- Ogene remarked that the emergence of various so- called leaders has not registered with them.

He affirmed their continued support for Kanu, noting that if he were released, he would clarify the identities of his associates, as the movement is not solely reliant on one individual.

The Ohanaeze leadership remains committed to Kanu, viewing him as a significant figure within the Igbo community, and they believe his return would greatly benefit the region. The issue of Simon Ekpa is unfamiliar to them, and their primary concern remains centered on Kanu’ s release.

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and founder of the Kukah Centre, Most Reverend Mathew Kukah, shared his views regarding the the controversial tax reform bills of Bola Tinubu’ s administration.....Read Full Article>>

The impassioned cleric claimed that the legislation were what the country needed to propel it into economic success. The law, which has passed the Senate’ s second reading, has received strong opposition from several sources, particularly Northern Nigerian elites.

Notable northern groups and figures, including the Northern Governors Forum, the Northern Elders Forum, the National Economic Council, and Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, have openly expressed their opposition to the measure and called for its withdrawal.

According to them, the bill’ s contents do not reflect the region’ s interests and would exacerbate the region’ s existing poverty, underdevelopment, and other socioeconomic difficulties.

Speaking on a Tv Morning Brief on Tuesday, Kukah asserted that the bills would halt the fiscal impunity and financial recklessness of the elites.
He asked the Federal Government to ensure that the ongoing changes lead to the country’ s development, pointing out that the nation’ s resources had been mismanaged by its elites, leaving it in ruin.

He stated that Nigeria’ s vast human and natural resources must be appropriately exploited and used to prevent the tide of violence among its vibrant youths.

A lot of people have reacted to this, someone said; ” Can any good thing come out of this criminal led regime? I am like doubting Thomas now for Nigeria leaders because they are very good at paper works but very poor in implementation. Seeing is believing! I am watching” .

Another person wrote; ” Tax reform bill is good if implemented to the right course and the Northern elders should comply with Tinubu economic reform agenda period! ! ! ”

What can you say about this? Do you agree with Bishop Kukah?