Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has suspended Uchenna Igwe, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters over alleged failure to perform official responsibilities.....Read Full Article>>

The suspension, which took effect immediately, was announced during a press briefing at the Governor’s office in Abakaliki.

Reports revealed that Igwe failed to address an assignment concerning local government pension payments, prompting the action.

This marks the fourth commissioner removed in recent weeks.

Last month, the Governor took similar steps against commissioners for housing, urban development, water resources, and health, as part of efforts to maintain accountability within his administration.

The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has given the 18 local government council chairmen in the state, 48 hours to submit their statements of account Governor Okpebholo who stated this during his meeting with the 18 council chairmen in Edo at Government House on Tuesday in Benin, demanded the council bosses submit the statements to the Assets Verification Committee, through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). He said the statement of accounts should be effective from the 4th of September 2023 till date. Okpebholo who was represented at the event by his Deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, promised to work closely with the....Read Full Article>>

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the presidential committee on tax policy and fiscal reforms, has refuted any plans to employ Alpha-Beta Consulting or other consultants for tax collection.....Read Full Article>>

During a town hall meeting hosted by Channels Television on Monday, Oyedele addressed concerns about using external consultants like Alpha-Beta, a firm known for managing tax collection for Lagos State and linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He highlighted that relying on consultants for tax collection is a significant economic challenge, stressing that governments should not depend on external firms for such crucial functions.

“In fact, we debated at the committee level about including a provision in the law that prohibits governments from using consultants to collect taxes. We see this as one of the biggest economic problems,” Oyedele stated.

“I can confirm 100 percent that there is no plan whatsoever to use consultants for this purpose.”

According to Oyedele, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) already has the infrastructure needed for efficient tax collection, particularly through its TaxPro Max platform. He noted that minor adjustments to the system are sufficient to implement the proposed reforms.

“For instance, once these bills are passed, we can simply update the system to require companies like MTN to indicate the states where VAT returns are generated,” Oyedele explained.

He added that similar measures would apply to other large corporations, such as the Dangote Group and financial institutions, ensuring compliance without external assistance.

‘Governors Were Consulted on Tax Reform Bills’

Addressing concerns about consultation, Oyedele emphasized that state governors were actively engaged during the drafting process of the tax reform bills.

“This is not a rushed process. We consulted extensively. We had a session with the governors’ forum and two sessions with the national economy council. We also spent almost a full day with finance commissioners from across Nigeria,” he said.

Oyedele further revealed that the committee held multiple meetings with heads of internal revenue services from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Letters were sent to governors in each geopolitical zone, offering detailed discussions with their cabinets.

“Some governors didn’t have time for us, but for those who did, like the governor of Lagos, we had thorough engagements. In Lagos, a joint committee between my team and the state cabinet worked on the details for over six months,” he added.

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He maintained that the committee remains open to further consultations, dismissing claims that stakeholders were not adequately involved.

....Read Full Article>>

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has named Adeboye Adeyinka, alias Zulu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development.

Zulu is a well-experienced sports administrator who was until his appointment, the Special Assistant to the immediate past Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh.

His enviable service with four different Lagos State Governors in various capacities has already branded him as one of the leading crusaders for grassroots sports in Nigeria.

With vast experience in sports administration and grassroots development, Adeboye Adeyinka is prepared to play a pivotal role in the support for transforming and revitalizing Nigerian sports by the National Sports Commission.

This appointment reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to fostering sports development at the grassroots level, which is essential for building a sustainable sports ecosystem in Nigeria.

On Monday, Zulu formally presented his appointment letter to the National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko. He pledged to work alongside Dikko to strengthen the nation’s talent development pipeline.

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo on Sunday said he did not consult any prophet or native doctor to win the September 21, 2024 governorship election.....Read Full Article>>

DAILY POST reports that Senator Monday Okpebholo, a candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, defeated his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, and 15 other political parties’ candidates to win the off-cycle gubernatorial election.

Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City. Itua said the governor made the remarks at Winner’s Chapel, Akho in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, where he worshipped alongside top members of his administration.

The governor, who reiterated his trust in God, stated that he contested the September 21 governorship election without seeking help from native doctors or prophets.

According to him, “I want to thank God for his wonderful deeds in my life, as no one can accomplish this except Him alone. My life is filled with testimonies, and God has consistently granted me victory in all my endeavours.

“I contested the election without seeking help from native doctors or prophets. My faith is in Christ alone. If God does not will it, then let it not be done.

“In Nigeria, and indeed the world, no prophet or native doctor can claim that I visited them for help in winning the election.

“The only factor I recognized is God. If He cannot accomplish it, then let it not be done. The prevailing sentiment is that God’s grace is upon me.

“As a member of Winner’s Church, I am confident that we cannot be losers, especially since both my Deputy and I are part of this community. How can we lose? While others were strategizing and utilizing media outlets, I trusted in the Lord, and He granted me victory, ”he said.

The Pastor of Winners Chapel Church, Akho, Peter Osawe, who spoke on the topic ‘Wisdom kits for joy and rejoicing”,’ emphasised that God is the pivotal factor in human life.

Osawe noted that nothing occurs without God’s knowledge and encouraged the congregation to continue drawing strength from God’s word.

He opined that Nigeria would become a better nation if everyone worked together.

DAILY POST reports that the Governor, who also attended a service at God’s People World Wide Prayer Ministry in Illeh, Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, said he was in the Church to seek prayers for the success of his administration.

“I am here to pray for the strength to move the state forward, to work for the Edo people, to utilize the state’s resources for development, and to promote justice and fairness for the Edo people”, he added.

In his message, Apostle Ehijele Unuayan, the General Overseer, urged the Governor to remain focused on his vision for the state’s development and the welfare of its people.

Unuayan expressed gratitude to the Governor for approving automatic employment for first-class graduates of Edo origin from universities in Nigeria and worldwide.

Tony Okocha has been elected the parallel Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State following a state congress and subsequent election held at the factional party state secretariat at the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway.....Read Full Article>>

Okocha was elected unopposed at the delegate congress conducted on Saturday, despite a court order restricting the APC’s national leadership from conducting congresses in the state.

The order arose from a lawsuit filed by aggrieved members who alleged exclusion despite purchasing nomination forms. The congress was presided over by APC national delegate and Chairman of the Congress Planning Committee, Adoye Omale.

In his acceptance speech, Okocha vowed to reposition the APC in Rivers State, stating that the party would no longer be sidelined in elections as it works toward gaining control of governance in the state.

Okocha also lauded the achievements of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, citing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s, NNPCL, recent announcement on the commencement of crude oil production at the Port Harcourt refinery.

He noted that full operation of the nation’s refineries would address significant challenges facing the country.

He commended the Congress Planning Committee for overseeing a transparent process and acknowledged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for monitoring the exercise.

The elected state executives include Tony Okocha as Chairman, Eric Nwibani as State Secretary, Chibuike Ikenga as Publicity Secretary, Karibi Dan-Jumbo as Welfare Secretary, and Darling Amadi as Woman Leader, among others.

Prominent APC members who attended the congress include South-South National Vice Chairman Chief Victor Giadom, Ezemonye Ezekiel-Amadi, Chidi Wihioka, Ephraim Nwuzi, Magnus Abe, and Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, among others.

THE Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo on Saturday declared that those who conjured election results and announced same on social media during the governorship election are the same people crying that the polls were rigged.....Read Full Article>>

Okpebholo spoke at the Esan Central Local Government Council Secretariat, venue of the homecoming reception held in celebration of his victory by the Esan people.

The governor while commending the people of the state for voting him to power said those who lost would continue to cry foul because their rigging strategies failed. According to him, “I thank the leadership of my party especially our President, Bola Tinubu for standing firm for Justice and allowing equity to prevail and it led to the success and victory recorded by our party.

“The people that wrote results and were announcing fake results on the internet, are the same people crying today that somebody rigged the election.

“It is sad to say that the criminals are crying today that they have lost and will continue to lose. They are spending money day and night and wasting their money and will wait in vain.

“Edo people have spoken, they have chosen the part of development, peace and part of unity. This is what Edo people have chosen and that is how it will remain.

“I want to thank Esan people for standing by me and ensuring sound victory. Thank you for the confidence reposed in me and thank you for your vote. This crowd has shown that you people voted for me.

“I will not disappoint Edo people, I will not disappoint Esan people, I will do the right thing and allow justice to prevail.

“I thank the traditional rulers in the entire Esan land, leaders of Esan land, party leaders, and all that stood by me to become the governor of Edo State and above all I give God the glory”.

The Onojie of Uromi, His Royal Highness Anselm Aidenojie II said the people of Esan are happy that the son of the land is the governor of the State.

“We the traditional rulers from Esan land went round the State to appeal for the support to produce the governor and today it’s a reality. We thank the Oba of Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll and we are grateful for all for the support. We believed that the governor will deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State”.

The Acting State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Emperor Jarret Tenebe thanked Edo people for the mandate given to Governor Monday Okpebholo as the people can now see that the governor has hit the ground running since his Inauguration.

He said “We are happy to celebrate the victory God Almighty has given to us and we thank Edo people for the mandate as all can see that the governor has hit the ground running. This is how it will be in the next 8 years. In the last 8 years there was no governance as governor Okpebholo started where Comrade Adams Oshiomole stopped”.

Some dignitaries that graced the welcome reception organized by the Esan people for the governor included traditional rulers from Edo Central, Secretary to the State government Barr. Musa Ikhilor, Chief of Staff to the governor, Gani Audu, members Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), top government officials, party faithful amongst others.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu set to appoint Femi Fani-Kayode, Reno Omokri, and Shehu Sani, others as ambassadors. This information was disclosed by Jackson Ude, a US-based investigative journalist known for breaking political developments in Nigeria.....Read Full Article>>

In a social media post, Ude hinted that the ambassadorial list would be made public soon. “Ambassador F. Kayode, Ambassador S. Sani, Ambassador R. Omokri. And the list goes on and on, waiting for unveiling soon,” he wrote. While the presidency has yet to confirm the appointments, the potential selection of these figures—each known for their strong political stances and public engagements—has generated mixed reactions.

Advertisement Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister and a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is a vocal supporter of President Tinubu. Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, is recognized for his consistent criticism of the current administration, raising questions about his inclusion.

Shehu Sani, a former senator and human rights activist, is another notable name on the list, known for his independent views and advocacy.

Advertisement Advertisements As Nigerians await the official announcement, the news continues to fuel debates about the direction of Tinubu’s foreign policy agenda and the implications of these high-profile appointments.