…says agreement should be agreement in Rivers State
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Sunday cautioned those he described as “emergency singers” of the slogan “On your mandate, we shall stand” to honour existing agreements, declaring that no one can deceive them with sudden displays of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike stressed that agreements must be respected, noting that late political sloganeering would not erase past realities. “For us here, agreement is agreement. You can be singing ‘on your mandate we shall stand’ in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is fine, but we have been supporting the President since 2023. Your new slogans will not help you,” he said.
The minister made the remarks during his Christmas visits to Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
Addressing the Ikwerre people, Wike recalled how they took political risks to support President Tinubu at a time when many others were hesitant.
He noted that they embraced the slogan when the outcome of the 2023 presidential election was still uncertain.
“In 2023, when it was difficult and people did not know that Mr President would emerge, those of us from Ikwerre understood that politics is about risk. If you look at the votes that helped him win in Rivers State, they came particularly from Ikwerre,” Wike said.
“When it mattered most, we stood on his mandate, not this people now coming to shout on your mandate, when it was important they couldn’t shout on your mandate.
“You take stands when things are tough, not when food is ready. We took this position when things were tough, and we are still standing by it.
“The South must complete their eight years, and completing the eight years it doesn’t matter which party we belong to give Mr. President the support to succeed.
“In 2031, after the South must have completed its eight years through President Tinubu, we will know what next”.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Sunday criticised a member of the House of Representatives representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Oluwole Oke, over his call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the Accord Party ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
The Nation recalls that Oke had urged INEC to deregister the Accord Party, arguing that the party has no elected officials in public office in line with Section 225A of the Constitution.
Responding through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in a statement on Sunday, Governor Adeleke said the All Progressives Congress (APC) was obsessed with pursuing illegal and unconstitutional means against the Osun state government.
He described Oke as a laughing stock in what he called a desperate attempt to please his new masters within the APC fold, adding that Accord had, within a short period of its unveiling by the governor, emerged as a party of victory and triumph.
“As the APC is desperately working to financially strangulate Osun state by withholding local government allocations in the evil scheme to punish the voters into submission, it is equally plotting to destroy the ruling party in the state. That is not democracy; that is a recipe for democratic chaos.
“The APC strategy so far is built on undemocratic plots and scheming rather than contend with the electorate who have serious questions for Mr Bola Oyebamiji and the top hierarchy of the APC. If the APC is sure of its electoral potency, the party should drop the evil plot to destroy the Accord and let the fight be taken to the voters.
“Governor Adeleke has delivered in several sectors as attested to by local and international observers. In this yuletide period, Osun diaspora across the world are seeing first hand and hearing testimonies about the impressive performance of Governor Adeleke in the last three years.
“The governor has delivered across sectors with Osun emerging the best in south west on primary health care; with Osun moving from 33rd position under APC to number 7th position in NECO and WAEC ratings; with sport sector undergoing policy reform under an ongoing five star upgrade and renovation of Osogbo city stadium; with science and innovation receiving policy and implementation attention; with tractors and input support now available to farmers; with over 250 kilometres of roads constructed statewide; with over 100 billion naira pension and half salary debt paid; with close to four billion naira allocated to cooperatives and artisans financing; with ease of doing business attracting investment and booming PPP sector.”
He challenged the APC candidate to run on his party’s records from 2018 to 2022 across the sectors, noting that “Governor Adeleke is running on his own records from 2022 to date. And comparing the two eras, the jury is out—Governor Adeleke surpassed 12 years of APC rule under three years.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima has described marital unions as fundamental pillars of Nigeria’s social strength and long-term national development, stressing that marriage transcends a personal milestone to serve as a vital institution for nurturing values essential to national cohesion, stability and progress.
Senator Shettima made the remarks on Sunday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, where he represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the solemnisation of holy matrimony between Miss Deborah Ershima and Mr. Samuel Aondoakur, son of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Describing marriage as a powerful metaphor for the deep integration of lives, the Vice President said strong family unions contribute directly to long-term national development and cohesion, adding that the institution of marriage speaks to something “deeply Nigerian and deeply human.”
In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said “there are moments in life an event quietly writes itself into memory. Today is one of those moments. We have come together not merely to witness a wedding, but to stand at the intersection of two stories choosing to become one”.
Shettima commended the families of the couple for raising children grounded in discipline, faith and character, noting that strong families do not emerge by accident but through intentional value formation.
He emphasised that successful marriages thrive on alignment, patience and humility rather than perfection, sustained by everyday choices long after the ceremony ends.
“A home is not built by vows alone. It is built by everyday choices. By the decision to return kindness for impatience. By the courage to apologise even when you feel justified. By the humility to ask for help when the road feels longer than expected. These are not weaknesses. They are the quiet strengths that keep marriages standing long after the celebration ends,” the Vice President added.
Drawing parallels between the resilience of Nigerian families and the nation’s capacity to overcome challenges, Shettima urged parents, relatives and society to support married couples with counsel and goodwill rather than undue pressure, saying stable homes flourish in an atmosphere of understanding.
Wishing the couple a blissful marital life, he prayed that their home would be “anchored in trust and sustained by faith,” adding that their unity should remain stronger than any season of challenge.
Earlier, Senator Akume paid tribute to President Tinubu for what he described as transformative leadership since assuming office in May 2023, saying Nigeria’s leadership was performing well under the President.
He thanked the President for the quality of representation at the event and commended the Vice President for honouring the invitation despite a demanding schedule.
“I have to pay a very big tribute to our President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for honouring this invitation. The quality of representation here is massive and fundamental,” Akume said, appreciating the Vice President for travelling from Maiduguri to Makurdi.
Also speaking, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia commended President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for sustained efforts to reposition the country, congratulating the couple and assuring them of continued support and guidance.
“It is my hope that this young couple will add a lot of value to the growth and development of Benue State,” the governor said, offering prayers for divine guidance and protection over their union.
Dignitaries at the wedding included the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev; Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo; Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha; Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment, Mr. Silas Agara; members of the Benue State and National Assemblies, and other senior government officials.
The Presiding Bishop of Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Francis Wale-Oke, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take firm action by flushing out what he described as moles and fifth columnists within Nigeria’s security system in order to decisively tackle insecurity.
The cleric noted that insecurity has overtaken corruption as the most feared challenge facing the country.
While commending the Tinubu administration for intensifying efforts to combat insecurity, he urged the President to do more.
Bishop Wale-Oke also appealed to Islamic leaders, particularly the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, to openly condemn the acts of kidnapping, banditry, Boko Haram insurgency, and other crimes being carried out in the name of Islam, a religion he said is known for peace.
He made the remarks while hosting journalists at an end-of-year luncheon held on Sunday at the Covenant Cathedral, Parliament Road, Ibadan.
According to the bishop, Nigeria’s security architecture requires a comprehensive overhaul, stressing that the President should spare no one in the pursuit of justice.
He expressed concern over the presence of moles and fifth columnists within the security apparatus, which he said continue to undermine efforts to address insecurity.
Bishop Wale-Oke also criticised the previous administration’s policy of reintegrating repentant bandits into the military, describing the approach as “playing with fire.”
He said, “We have come to the end of a very challenging year. This year has been challenging for Nigerians. The cries of Nigerians are very loud.
The economic hardship, the corruption issue in Nigeria, and then insecurity has come to the fore. It has become a major issue. I want to say, up until now, people have said the number one challenge of Nigeria is corruption.
“And to a larger extent, I believe corruption is major. We have got to deal with corruption before corruption brings our nation down. But you all will agree with me that insecurity has suddenly surpassed the matter of corruption as the number one challenge in Nigeria.
“Because where there is insecurity, we cannot travel freely, we cannot do business freely. When the road is not free, the air is not free, the home is not free, the gathering is not free, everything and everybody will be affected. So insecurity has become an issue.
“And let me say this, I want to commend the federal government in stepping up of recent, as the government of President Bola Tinubu in stepping up the fight against insecurity. For a long time, we have been asking for a change and overhaul in the security architecture of Nigeria. And we saw a bit of it now.
“The appointment of a new Chief of Army Staff and some shuffling going on, indicating the determination of President Tinubu to deal with the matter of insecurity, head on. And we want our president to push it to its logical conclusion. To spare no one. To allow no secred cow.
“If we don’t bring insecurity down, insecurity will bring this nation down. And the commander-in-chief should be commander-in-chief indeed to deal with it.
“We are aware that all our security apparatus have been infested with moles and fifth columnists, planted by people who have interest in creating chaos and in weakening our security apparatus. Our soldiers are losing their lives needlessly. A general was brutally killed, which should not be so at all.
“And it’s because the moles in the system have not been flushed out. When the previous administration came out with this odious, nefarious policy of reintegrating the so-called repentant bandits into the military system, we cried out at that time that this is playing with fire. It’s like you put a cobra on your head and you’re putting your cap on it.
“When you’re bringing so-called repentant terrorists. First and foremost, there’s nothing like repentant terrorists. Governance is not church service. In church, when people sin and they confess their sin and they repent, we pray for them and ask God to forgive them. In governance, when people are caught breaking the law, they face the music and they face the full wrath of the law.
“People are kidnapping. People are raping. People are killing. People are taking our children and they are messing them up. And they will kidnap hundreds of our children and force them to march several kilometers. Young people. You’re coming to tell me that these ones are repentant. No, they’re not repentant. They just want to enter into the system so they can weaken the system from within.
“So we want to urge President Tinubu to put his feet down and to flush the moles out. To flush the fifth columnists out that are there. To make sure that we are not wasting the precious life of our gallant officers and our intelligence officers that are doing a great work.”
He said further, “Please flush them out. Give them a red card. Don’t treat terrorists, bandits, Boko Haram, Lakurawa or whatever name they are called, that are killing, maiming, raping, kidnapping. Don’t treat them as repentant. If they want to repent, leave that between them and God. Send them to hell. On their way to hell, if they repent, leave that to God.
“The work of governance is to bring the will of justice to grind heavily on people that are killing, maiming, raping and making life difficult for Nigerians. These are plea to Mr. President.
“We commend our President in moving very fast. I would commend our President in agreeing to cooperate with the American government to coordinate a joint effort between American military and Nigerian military to flush out this banditry.
“Because if for about 15years, we have been fighting them, and rather than things getting better, it’s getting worse, it means we are not coping. And then, let’s ask for help. And let’s cooperate.
“We are not submitting our sovereignty to America, no. We are working hand-in-hand with them to deal with these wicked people that are creating hell for Nigeria. And by the time they know that they have not save heaven, by the time they know that both Nigerian military and American military are working together to flush them out, they will withdraw.
“And if they know that they cannot practice their game again, they go back to where they have come. So, we thank God that things like this are happening. President Tinubu, you are doing a good job with this number one thing.”
The bishop further called on politicians to prioritize good governance and deal with corruption decisively, rather than turning anti-corruption agencies into political tools.
He also appealed to Islamic leaders to speak out against the use of their religion as a cover for evil acts, such as kidnapping and killing.
In a message of hope, Bishop Wale-Oke cited Job 14:7, saying, “For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, it will sprout again.” He urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and to join hands to end the killings and insecurity in the country.
Terrorists in the north will come under more strikes following Thursday night’s collaborative operation by Nigeria and the United States on their locations in Sokoto State.
Officials of both countries confirmed yesterday that the strikes are ongoing.
A security source in Nigeria described the Thursday strikes as a test run.
The New York Times quoted a US military official as saying that about a dozen Tomahawk missiles were deployed for the operation that targeted areas close to the border with Niger Republic, where a branch of ISIS called the Islamic State-Sahel has been attacking government forces and civilians.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris was more categorical on the number of missiles fired:16.
He said in a detailed statement on the airstrike that that debris from the missiles caused the explosions in Offa,Kwara State and Jabo,Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Thursday night.
The explosions caused panic among residents.
The Tomahawk is a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile used by the U.S. Navy and allies for deep-strike, land-attack missions. Launched from ships or submarines, it flies at low altitudes to evade radar, with a range exceeding 1,000 miles (1,600+ km) and precision targeting, often carrying a 1,000-lb warhead
Tomahawk Cruise Missile
The Tomahawk cruise missile is a precision weapon that launches from ships and submarines and can strike targets…
A video posted by the Pentagon showed at least one projectile launched from a warship. A US defense official said the strike targeted multiple militants at known ISIS camps.
The U.S. Africa Command said its initial assessment concluded that ‘multiple’ ISIS terrorists were killed.
The chairman of Tangaza Local Government area, Isa Saleh Bashir could not say how many terrorists were hit but said “they are certainly injured.”
“Reports indicate that Niger Republic security forces on patrol said they saw Lakurawa fleeing the area,” the local government chairman told the BBC.
An area hit by one of the missiles in Tangaza LGA was still emitting smoke yesterday afternoon.
US officials hailed Nigeria for its cooperation in getting at the terrorists.
Residents of Tambuwal and Tangaza local government areas were still in panic yesterday as they recounted their experience when the missiles began to rain.
They said the skies first went red followed by a deafening noise of explosions.
A team of police bomb experts yesterday visited the scene of the strikes in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area yesterday and cordoned it off.
Soon after the missiles hit their targets, the US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote in a post on social media:“The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas.More to come…”
He added: “Grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation.”
The commander of US Africa Command Dagvin Anderson also acknowledged Nigeria’s assistance,saying: “US Africa Command is working with our Nigerian and regional partners to increase counter terrorism cooperation efforts related to ongoing violence and threats against innocent lives.”
Bauni forest was the main target,says Information Minister
Information Minister Idris said in a statement that Nigeria in close coordination with the US “successfully conducted precision strike operations against two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves located within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State.”
He said: “Intelligence confirmed that these locations were being used as assembly and staging grounds by foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region, in collaboration with local affiliates, to plan and execute large-scale terrorist attacks within Nigerian territory.
“The precision strike operations were executed between 00:12 hours and 01:30 hours on Friday, 26 December, 2025, following explicit approval by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The operation was carried out under established command and control structures, with the full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and under the supervision of the Honourable Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.
“The strikes were launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea, after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance.
“A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms, successfully neutralising the targeted ISIS elements attempting to penetrate Nigeria from the Sahel corridor.
“During the course of the operation, debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State, near the premises of a hotel. No civilian casualties were recorded in either location, and relevant authorities promptly secured the affected areas.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria reiterates its unwavering resolve to confront, degrade, and eliminate terrorist threats, particularly those posed by transnational extremist networks seeking to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and security.
“Nigeria remains fully aligned with its strategic partners and Friends of Nigeria in executing coordinated actions aimed at ensuring lasting peace, border security, and regional stability.
“The Federal Government assures all Nigerians that it remains firmly in control of the national security architecture and is fully committed to the protection of lives and property.
“Citizens are urged to remain calm and vigilant as decisive actions continue against all terrorist groups threatening the nation.”
How we worked with US by Nigeria’s Tuggar
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, giving an insight yesterday on the joint operation between Nigeria and the US, said: “It is a collaboration, it is what we have been calling for.”
“It was Nigeria that provided intelligence for the US strike in Nigeria. I spoke with the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, for 19 minutes before the strike, and we agreed to talk to President Tinubu for his go-ahead, and he gave it,” he said on Channels TV.
Continuing, he said: “After the approval, I spoke again with Marco Rubio five minutes before the strike was launched against the terrorists.
“Now that the US is cooperating, we would do it jointly, and we would ensure, just as the president emphasised yesterday before he gave the go-ahead, that it must be made clear that it is a joint operation, and it is not targeting any religion nor simply in the name of one religion or the other.
“We are a multi-religious country, and we are working with partners like the US to fight terrorism and safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians.”
In a separate statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria remained “engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism. This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.
“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security.
“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity. Terrorist violence in any form whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.
“The Federal Government continues to work closely with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats, while strengthening Nigeria’s own security institutions and intelligence capabilities.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to engage relevant partners and keep the public informed through appropriate official channels.”
Nigeria’s military role in the precision strikes
The Defence Headquarters said the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in conjunction with the United States of America, “conducted precision strike operations against identified foreign ISIS-linked elements operating in parts of North West Nigeria.”
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba said the operation was “executed with the approval of the appropriate Federal Government authorities and forms part of ongoing coordinated efforts to rid the country of terrorists and other criminal elements threatening national security.”
He added: ”the strike followed credible intelligence and careful operational planning aimed at degrading the capability of the targeted elements while minimising collateral damage.
“The operation underscores the resolve of the Federal Government of Nigeria, working with strategic partners, to confront transnational terrorism and prevent foreign fighters from establishing or expanding footholds within Nigeria’s borders.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria reiterates its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property and to supporting joint and inter-agency efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the country.”
Missiles definitely hit terrorists – Tangaza LG chair
Tangaza Local Government Chairman Isa Salihu told Premium Times yesterday that the missiles hit a known hideout for terrorists in the area.
“That area serves as their primary route when entering from the Niger Republic,” Salihu said.
“They frequent these zones and have established camps in the dense forests near the border.
“We cannot yet confirm if targets were killed. We are awaiting detailed security reports to determine the impact and to verify if there were any civilian casualties.”
“Locals frequently report sightings of armed groups nestled within the rocky hills along the border axis. The blast from the airstrike has caused panic among residents in the surrounding communities. We pray that no one is hurt.”
Traditional ruler caution resident against picking strange metals
The BBC reported that a separate strike hit a field in the town of Jabo, further south in Sokoto, but there were no reports of casualties.
“Something that looked like a plane flashed and crashed… in fields,” BBC quoted resident Umar Jabo as saying.
The traditional ruler of the town, Alhaji Abubakar Jabo, advised residents against visiting the explosion site to pick metal fragments and debris.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the airstrike in the area did not affect residents nor damage residential buildings.
Locals reportedly picked fragments of the missiles.
Officials of Police Base 15 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) in Sokoto led by the Commandant, Mr Hassan Jatau, cordoned off the area on arrival.
Residents:the skies first went red, then boom
Jabo residents said some of them were about retiring to bed for the day when the skies unexpectedly turned red.
They were gripped by panic and while still wondering what was happening, a deafening noise accompanied by explosions followed throwing the entire community into pandemonium.
Some even thought a plane had crashed.
“It was almost like daytime,” resident Sanusi Madabo said of the fire sparked by the missiles.
In Offa, several buildings were hit on Yidi and Adeleke parts of the town.
“I was frying yam when I heard a deafening sound. It wasn’t like thunder,” said Mrs. Biodun Alabi, a resident of Adeleke area, where one of the fragments was found.
“When fragments started falling, we thought a plane had broken apart. We thank God it did not claim any life,” she added
If Mrs Alabi did not suffer any loss, the proprietor of an hotel in Adeleke area was not that lucky.
A piece of metal that looked like an expended shell pierced through a section of the building causing a major damage.
It’s a welcome development—Sokoto State govt
Sokoto State Government said it welcomed “any collaboration between Nigeria, and all relevant global stakeholders aimed at curbing the menace of terrorism and cross-border crimes in the state.”
The Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa, said in Sokoto that while the airstrike carried out in Tangaza Local Government Area, claimed no civilian life but “ the impact could not be immediately determined” as an assessment of the Joint Operations was still being awaited.
The Federal Government will proceed with the implementation of the remaining two recently signed tax reform laws on January 1, 2026, as scheduled, notwithstanding the controversy over alleged alterations, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has said.
Oyedele spoke to journalists after a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the President’s residence in Lagos, where he led a delegation that included the Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, and the Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, Joseph Tegbe.
He explained that the visit was to brief the President on the state of implementation of the four landmark tax reform laws signed earlier this year, noting that two of the laws are already in force.
“So we met with Mr. President to give an update about the implementation of the Tax Reform Laws. As you’re already aware, there are four of those laws, and two of them have already commenced,” Oyedele said.
According to him, the Nigerian Revenue Service (Establishment) Act and the Joint Revenue Service (Establishment) Act took effect on June 26, 2025, while the remaining two, the Nigerian Tax Act and the Nigerian Tax Administration Act, are scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026.
“The remaining two laws, that’s the Nigerian Tax Act and the Nigerian Tax Administration Act, are scheduled to commence on the first of January 2026,” he stated, stressing that the timeline remains unchanged.
Oyedele said the Federal Government welcomed the recent position of the House of Representatives Committee on the allegations of alteration surrounding the laws, adding that the Executive remains open to legislative engagement where necessary.
“We welcome the statement by the National Assembly, House of Representatives’ committee today on the findings and the work around the allegations about alteration. The Federal Government is committed to working with the National Assembly, if and when any action is required,” he said.
He emphasised that the decision to proceed with implementation as planned was driven by the pro-people nature of the reforms, which are designed to reduce the tax burden on ordinary Nigerians and stimulate economic growth.
“Therefore the plan to commence the two remaining new laws on the first of January 2026 will go ahead as planned, on schedule, because these reforms are designed to provide relief to the Nigerian people,” Oyedele said.
He disclosed that under the new tax regime, the vast majority of workers and small businesses would benefit significantly, with lower or zero tax obligations.
“Bottom 98 per cent of workers will see either no PAYE tax or lower taxes to be paid. Small businesses, 97 per cent of them, will be exempted from Corporate Income Tax, VAT, Withholding Tax, and large businesses will see a drop in the taxes that they pay,” he explained.
Oyedele said the overarching objective of the reforms is to promote “economic growth, inclusivity, as well as shared prosperity,” adding that the reform team is optimistic about the January 2026 rollout.
“We’re actually excited about the progress we’re making, and we’re looking forward to January 1, 2026,” he said.
Responding to questions on the level of preparedness for implementation, Oyedele said planning had been extensive and deliberate, beginning from the moment the bills were transmitted to the National Assembly.
“As you know, the Tax Reform Bills were at the National Assembly for nine months; from October 2024 until June 2025, and for us, preparation started from day one,” he said, adding that the six months since presidential assent had been devoted to “capacity building, system upgrade and sensitisation.”
He described the reform as a continuous process rather than a one-off event.
“This kind of reform is work in progress. You never get to perfection; you get better as you go along. So we believe that we’re at a point already,” Oyedele noted.
He explained that the staggered commencement of the laws was intentional, allowing institutions created by the reforms to become operational ahead of full implementation.
“One of the reasons why two of the tax laws took effect about six months ago is so that those institutions can start getting ready. For example, you have the Office of the Tax Ombudsman. You can’t set up that office on day one and it begins to work on day one,” he said.
On expected revenue from the reforms, Oyedele clarified that immediate revenue generation was not the primary goal, arguing that sustainable revenue would come from economic expansion and improved compliance.
“The intention for this tax reform is not immediate revenue generation. We believe that over time, you get revenue from growth, when the economy is growing,” he said.
He added that by widening the tax base, eliminating wasteful incentives and improving tax culture, the reforms would deliver fairness and stronger public finances in the long run.
“If people that were not paying before start paying and they’re not low-income earners not only do you get more revenue, you get fairness for society,” Oyedele said.
Meanwhile, the management of the National Assembly has reacted to controversy surrounding the legislative process on key tax laws, saying it is addressing the issues strictly within its constitutional and statutory mandate.
In a statement issued yesterday and signed by Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, Director, Information, for the Clerk to the National Assembly, the National Assembly said “the attention of the Management of the National Assembly has been drawn to public commentary concerning the legislative process relating to the passage, presidential assent, and publication in the Official Gazette of the following Acts: the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025; and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.”
The release noted that “the commentary has referenced matters relating to the harmonisation of the aforementioned Bills passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, the assent by the president and the versions of the Acts published in the Official Gazette.”
According to the statement, “the leadership and management of National Assembly is addressing these matters strictly within its constitutional and statutory mandate.”
It added that “accordingly, the relevant Committees, in collaboration with the Management of the National Assembly, are conducting an internal review.”
The National Assembly explained that “this review is being undertaken in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Acts Authentication Act, Cap. A4, LFN 2004, the Standing Orders of both Chambers, and established parliamentary practice.”
As part of the process, and “in the course of this review, and for the purpose of ensuring clarity, accuracy, and sanctity of the legislative record,” the leadership said it has “directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to facilitate in collaboration with the relevant agencies the publication of the Acts in the Official Gazette and to issue certified true copies of the assented Acts on demand to any stakeholder or the general public.”
The statement stressed that “this administrative action is intended solely to authenticate and formally reflect the legislative decisions of the National Assembly.”
It further clarified that “the review is confined to institutional processes and procedures and does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority by either Chamber.”
The exercise, it added, “is undertaken without prejudice to the powers, functions, or actions of any other arm or agency of government.”
Reaffirming its position, the National Assembly said it “remains fully committed to the principles of constitutionalism, separation of powers, and due process.”
It assured that “where procedural or administrative refinements are identified, appropriate measures will be taken in accordance with the law and established parliamentary conventions.”
The legislature also appealed for restraint, stating that “members of the public are respectfully urged to allow the National Assembly’s institutional processes to proceed without conjecture.”
It added that “the leadership of both chambers remain committed to transparency, accountability, and the faithful discharge of its constitutional responsibility as the custodian of the legislative authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The statement said that “further information will be provided as may be necessary.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that community and state policing will soon become a reality once the National Assembly completes the required legislative inputs, saying the move will mark a decisive shift in the country’s security approach.
The President gave the assurance yesterday while receiving a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its President, Daniel Okoh, at his residence in Lagos.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said his administration’s ongoing recalibration of the nation’s security architecture was designed to deliver tangible results, adding that new approaches would change Nigeria’s security narrative and restore public confidence.
“The mood of the nation is peaceful, although our ungoverned spaces are so large. The challenge is real, but we will surmount it,” the President said, calling for vigilance, cooperation and sustained engagement with faith-based groups.
He stressed that legislative backing was critical to the take-off of sub-national policing.
“Community and State Police will be a reality once the National Assembly completes the required legislative inputs,” Tinubu said, explaining that security reforms required patience, especially in the procurement of military hardware.
The President noted that delays in acquiring equipment, particularly air assets, had affected public perception, but insisted the government was not relenting.
“Military hardware is difficult to replace. It is expensive and not available off the shelf. Our orders for four attack helicopters from the United States of America will take some time to arrive. We have approached Turkey for assistance,” he said.
Tinubu said the administration remained focused on restoring peace and prosperity despite the evolving tactics of bandits and insurgents.
On the recent abduction and subsequent release of schoolchildren in Niger and Kebbi states, he urged vigilance, adding that outcomes mattered more than rhetoric.
“The rhetoric on how the children were released or what happened to the kidnappers is secondary; the end justifies the means,” he said.
Responding, Archbishop Okoh assured the President of the Church’s support, describing him as “our President” and pledging cooperation.
He acknowledged the receipt of palliatives extended to CAN during religious festivals and beyond, and commended Tinubu’s commitment to addressing security and socio-economic challenges.
“We acknowledge that the task before you is daunting, but we are assured of your sagacity. The Christian community is committed to ensuring that you succeed,” Okoh said, adding that the administration’s engagement had “closed the gap between the government and the Church.”
The CAN President appealed for direct engagement through the association’s established structures across the country’s 774 local government areas and requested the release of funds to the Christian Pilgrims’ Board to enable it to fulfil its mandate.
Members of the delegation included CAN Vice President, Rev. Dr Stephen Panya Baba; President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke; representatives of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches, the Catholic and Methodist blocs, and the CAN Chairman in Lagos State, Bishop Stephen Adegbite.
Sanwo-Olu commissions Eyo festival monument at the John Randle Centre
Son of President Bola Tinubu, Seyi Tinubu, was on Friday, December 26, installed as the Okanlòmo of Eyọ Ọba Alakẹtẹ Pupa, Laba Ẹkun.
This installation held ahead of the Saturday, December 27 Eyo Festival in Lagos.
The Eyo Festival, which was last held in 2017, is known for its iconic white-clad masquerades and vibrant display of chants, dance and cultural symbolism.
Considered a cultural treasure of the Lagos people, it is one of the most recognisable traditional events in the country, and this year’s edition is expected to draw both local and international attention.
Congratulating Seyi, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on his verified X page (formerly Twitter) said: “I warmly congratulate Barrister Oluwaseyi Tinubu @STinubu on his installation as the Okanlòmo of Eyọ Ọba Alakẹtẹ Pupa, Laba Ẹkun.
“This honour reflects service, character, and commitment to our culture and people.
“I wish him continued strength and clarity as he carries the responsibilities and expectations that come with this new role.”
Also, Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, commissioned the Eyo Monument at the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, located in the Onikan area of Lagos Island.
The Lagos State Government had on Wednesday issued a travel advisory announcing widespread traffic restrictions on Lagos Island.
In a travel advisory shared on the government’s social media handles, residents and motorists were urged to plan their travels ahead, as vehicular movement would be partially restricted in the Lagos Island area.
“Vehicular movement on major Lagos Island streets, especially along the procession routes, will be restricted or fully closed to allow the traditional Eyo procession to move safely,” the notice read.
Consequently, the government listed major routes on the Island that will be temporarily closed to traffic.
They include the Third Mainland Bridge exit to Adeniji Adele Road; Adeniji Adele ramps inward and outward, Oyebanji; and Adeniji Adele inward to Third Mainland (Church Bus Stop).
“Descending the Simpson Bridge to Sura from Osborne; outward Sura inward Osborne by Simpson Bridge; outward Sura inward Obalende Bridge; and Third Mainland exit to Sura.”
Other areas to be affected include Obalende, CMS, Marina, Apogbon and Idumota.
Commuters were therefore advised to use alternative routes. “Motorists are advised to plan their journeys, as LASTMA officials will be deployed to all diversion points for a seamless flow of traffic,” the notice added.
According to the Lagos State Government, the nearly 40-foot-high monument is “a powerful symbol of Lagos’ heritage” and is expected to provide “a major boost to the state’s cultural tourism drive,” serving both educational and tourism purposes while contributing to the economic and cultural development of the state.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the monument represents the essence of Lagos culture and identity, adding that its location within the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Onikan, makes it “a fitting landmark for preserving and showcasing Yoruba art, history and tradition.”
He said the monument would provide a space “where visitors can learn, take photographs and share the history of the state.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the installation of the Eyo monument reinforces Lagos’ commitment to protecting its cultural assets while positioning the state as a global destination for arts and heritage tourism.
He commended the curator of the monument, Dotun Popoola, for his craftsmanship and intellectual depth, describing the work as “a reflection of Nigerian creativity and excellence,” and noting that the project demonstrates how indigenous talent can be harnessed to interpret and preserve history through art.
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight (8) suspects for breach of public peace, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic, and serious assault on police officers on Christmas Day.
The suspects acting under the aegis of ‘Democratic Republic of the Yoruba’ were arrested in parts of Sango-Ota, Ogun State, specifically at Temidire Junction and Under-Bridge, Sango-Ota.
The group, while agitating under the banner of “Democratic Republic of the Yoruba,” unlawfully barricaded roads, set bonfires, disrupted the free flow of traffic, and attacked police officers deployed to maintain law and order.
Police spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force(NPF), Ogun Command, Oluseyi Babaseyi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who confirmed this in a release on Friday,y being Boxing Day, said police operatives swiftly mobilised to the affected locations, successfully dispersed the group when the command was alerted to the disturbance.
Babaseyi identified the suspects as Adewale Sosanya, ‘M’ aged 48; Opeyemi Oladotun, ‘M’ aged 31; Zara Gabriel, ‘F’ aged 22; Ajoke Gabriel, ‘F’ aged 19; Adewale Adebomojo, ‘F’ aged 48; Yusuf Tanimowo, ‘M’ aged 40; Olurotimi Ademola, ‘M’ aged 52; and Toyin Gabriel, ‘F’ aged 40.
He listed a Toyota vehicle used to convey the suspects, two broadcast speakers, a carton containing flags, shirts bearing inscriptions of their agitation, and banners displaying their messages and manifesto as exhibits recovered from them.
Babaseyi also noted that the suspects would be charged in court upon completion of the investigation, even as he quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, as assuring residents of the command’s commitment to safeguarding life and property.
“The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, reassures residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property. He warns that the Police will not tolerate any act capable of breaching public peace and emphasises that any assault on police officers will be met with decisive action.
“He urges members of the public to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities promptly through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines: Gateway Shield (General Complaints Line – Toll Free): 0800 000 9111; Emergency Numbers: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994,” he said.
Three years after the death of former Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, his widow, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has offered a deeply personal reflection on love, loss and the ideals that defined her late husband’s public life.
In an emotional tribute shared on her verified Facebook page on Friday, Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu described December 26, 2023, as the day her ‘world came crashing down,’ the moment her life was irrevocably altered, and admitted that the pain of losing her husband remains difficult to comprehend.
Reflecting on their marriage, she spoke of unity beyond ethnicity, noting that while she is Igbo and her late husband was Yoruba, their differences strengthened their bond rather than weakened it.
She said Akeredolu understood and embraced her identity, a mutual respect she credited for their enduring partnership.
“I may have been married to a Yoruba man, forever in love with that Owo man, but my Igboness is irrevocable. He knew it. He embraced it. He understood me. And that made us a team,” she wrote.
Beyond personal loss, Anyanwu-Akeredolu used the tribute to comment on the state of the nation, expressing concern over Nigeria’s deepening insecurity.
She warned that the crisis has worsened to the point where foreign intervention is now being openly discussed, a development she described as troubling.
She recalled her husband’s prominent role in addressing security challenges in the South-West, describing him as a fearless leader who played a central role in the creation of the regional security network, Amotekun.
According to her, his influence continues to be felt across cities and rural communities alike.
Recalling her husband’s role in regional security, she described him as “the Amotekun Generalissimo who defied all odds to secure his people,” noting that his name still resonates across cities and rural communities.
She added:” He (Akeredolu) called out the Nigerian state to renegotiate, to restructure, to reinvent. But here we are…still waiting,” lamenting that his warnings remain largely unheeded.
She concluded the tribute by affirming that the former governor’s ideals endure, writing, “Rest on, darlin’ mi. Your legacy lives.”
Late Akeredolu, SAN, was a respected lawyer and politician who served as Governor of Ondo State from 2017 to 2023. He was widely known for his outspoken leadership, advocacy for true federalism, and his role in spearheading the South-West regional security outfit, Amotekun.
He died on December 27, 2023, at the age of 67, after a prolonged battle with leukaemia and prostate cancer.
