The Nation Newspaper

Category: Featured

  • JUST IN: Police arrest Anthony Joshua’s driver

    JUST IN: Police arrest Anthony Joshua’s driver

    The driver of the vehicle in which former boxing heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, lost two of his associates following an accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been arrested, The Nation has learnt. 

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ogun Command, Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed the driver’s arrest. 

    The Nation reports that Joshua had been discharged from Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos, late Wednesday night after doctors confirmed he was clinically fit to continue his recuperation from home.

    On Monday, a Lexus SUV conveying Joshua and his team rammed into a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    Two of Joshua’s close associates — Kevin Latif Ayodele, his personal trainer, and Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach — died in the accident.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said five adult males were involved, with two fatalities recorded, one person injured and two others escaping unhurt.

    FRSC officials attributed the crash to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, factors they described as among the leading causes of fatal road accidents on Nigerian highways.

    In a terse statement on his verified X (formerly Twitter) page, Babaseyi on Thursday said, “The driver of the Lexus SUV is currently in custody in connection with the Anthony Joshua accident case. Investigations are ongoing.”

  • PHOTOS: Plateau Gov. Mutfwang resigns from PDP

    PHOTOS: Plateau Gov. Mutfwang resigns from PDP

    Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ending months of speculation surrounding his political future amid internal crises within the opposition party.

    In a resignation letter dated December 29, 2025, and addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman of Ampang West Ward in Mangu Local Government Area, the governor announced his decision to withdraw his membership with immediate effect.

    Mutfwang said the move was driven by the need to pursue purposeful leadership, clearer direction, and more effective service delivery through an alternative political platform.

    “I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the PDP with immediate effect,” the letter read.

    He expressed appreciation to the PDP for providing the platform on which he was elected governor in 2023.

    The resignation follows claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) earlier in December 2025 that Mutfwang had defected to the party during a national caucus meeting, an assertion the PDP had dismissed at the time, citing the absence of formal communication.

    The development further reduces the PDP’s number of sitting governors as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

  • Be generous, giving brings abundance — First Lady Tinubu

    Be generous, giving brings abundance — First Lady Tinubu

    …receives five New Year babies at FMC Jabi, says generosity key to prosperity

    …NPC stresses birth registration as foundation for identity, planning

    First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on Thursday challenged Nigerian women to embrace generosity as a pathway to abundance, urging them to give intentionally to the less privileged as the country steps into the New Year.

    Speaking to journalists after receiving the first babies of 2026 at the Federal Medical Centre Jabi, Abuja, the First Lady said giving was a powerful principle that attracts blessings, prosperity and growth.

    “Make sure you are generous. This year, I tell people, if you want money, you have to sow money to the lives of the less privileged. Sow money, whatever you sow, you will receive. If you like to give clothes to people, you’ll be receiving abundant clothes. You can’t sow corn and receive corn. Be generous; it’s a year of generosity. Our giving should be intentional,” she said.

    Mrs Tinubu, who was accompanied by the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima; the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; and the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Mahmoud, said she received a total of five newborns.

    The babies included the first baby of the year, a female infant delivered at exactly midnight by a 26-year-old first-time mother, Patience Adakole; a set of triplets (two boys and a girl) delivered by Blessing Oragwu after 13 years of waiting, and another baby boy.

    “I welcomed five in total; the baby of the year, a girl, and then the triplets, the mother has waited for 13 years, which is wonderful, and another baby boy,” the First Lady said, describing the moment as deeply fulfilling.

    Drawing from cultural symbolism, she expressed optimism for the nation in 2026. 

    “In Yoruba land, when you have girls, they will say they come with ease. So we believe that this year is going to be a great year for us as a nation, peace in abundance, prosperity in abundance,” she said.

    Reflecting on the passage into the New Year, Mrs Tinubu added, “I’m excited because last year was something else. All of us that made it to the New Year should be thankful. There were so many deaths that we shouldn’t even think about. We thank God for His mercy, and we believe that this year will be a blessed year for us.”

    She said the outreach was coordinated across multiple hospitals in Abuja, with members of the delegation visiting different facilities to welcome newborns and distribute gifts. 

    “Her Excellency, the wife of the Vice President, is going to another hospital to welcome the baby of the year there. We have boxes and gifts for them. The Minister of Women Affairs is going to the National Hospital, and the Minister of State for the FCT is going to another hospital. Our hands are full with babies, and we pray that these babies will be blessings to this nation,” she said.

    Addressing Nigerian women, the First Lady described them as resilient and industrious, urging them not to be constrained by limited resources. 

    “Nigerian women are blessed and very hardworking. Whatever you feel God has laid in your heart to do, do it. Never feel that you don’t have money to do business. Start small, and you will be amazed,” she advised.

    She added, “Whatever I’ve done in my life, this government has not given me a dime. But you can see the great things God is using people to do. When people see me doing things, they gift me, and I become generous with it.”

    Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Aminu Yusuf, underscored the importance of birth registration, describing it as a critical legal identity for every child.

    “It becomes a legal document that the child will be proud of by the time he grows. It gives the child access to education, health, and whatever you can think of,” Yusuf said.

    He disclosed plans to decentralise the New Year birth registration exercise across the country. 

    “By next year, similar activities should be replicated in all the states. We want people to be aware of the importance of registration. First ladies visit hospitals, but we want them to carry along our staff so the process is institutionalised,” he said.

    Yusuf added that the exercise was also aimed at strengthening transparency and accuracy in national data. 

    “The message is that we want accurate data so that whether we are doing census or any other exercise, it will be transparent and acceptable. There are reforms now, and we want Nigerians to trust the process,” he said.

    On population management, the Director-General of the NPC, Telson Osifo Ojogun, said the commission’s role was primarily data-driven.

    “The National Population Commission does not directly manage population; we manage the data that informs how other ministries and stakeholders manage population,” Ojogun explained, noting that sectors such as health and education play decisive roles.

    He said educating girls significantly reduces total fertility rates. 

    “For a young lady who goes to school from about seven to 25 years, the number of children she is likely to give birth to will be reduced. Education has a role to play. What we do is provide the necessary data and coordinate evaluation over the years,” he said.

  • Tinubu: New Tax Laws will bring prosperity

    Tinubu: New Tax Laws will bring prosperity

    • We’ll deepen collaboration with U.S., others to battle insecurity

    • 10 million jobs empowerment for Nigerians

    • All on-going projects to continue without interruption

    • President urges unity amongst Nigerians

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday assured Nigerians that the new tax regime being rolled out by his administration will lay the foundation for shared prosperity, sustainable growth and long-term economic stability.

    In his New Year goodwill message to Nigerians, the President said: “The new year marks a critical phase in implementing our tax reforms, designed to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for Nigeria.

    “By harmonising our tax system, we aim to raise revenue sustainably, address fiscal distortions and strengthen our capacity to finance infrastructure and social investments that will deliver shared prosperity.”

    He reiterated that the reforms were not aimed at overburdening citizens but at harmonising the tax system, eliminating multiple taxation and raising revenue sustainably.

    “I commend states that have aligned with the national tax harmonisation agenda by adopting harmonised tax laws to reduce the excessive burden of taxes, levies and fees on our people,” he said.

    President Tinubu added that a streamlined tax system would strengthen the country’s capacity to finance infrastructure and social investments.

    The new tax regime begins today.

    He said the difficult reforms undertaken in 2025 were already yielding measurable gains, despite global economic headwinds.

    The President expressed confidence that the benefits would increasingly be felt by ordinary citizens in the new year.

    He unveiled an ambitious, inclusive growth agenda that will bring at least 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity.

    He explained that the initiative would empower at least 1,000 people in each of the country’s 8,809 wards through agriculture, trade, food processing and mining.

    He said: “The new year marks the beginning of a more robust phase of economic growth, with tangible improvements in the lives of our people.

    “We will accelerate the implementation of the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, aiming to bring at least 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity by empowering at least 1,000 people in each of the 8,809 wards across the country.”

    READ ALSO: Against the tyranny of small minds

    Welcoming Nigerians to 2026, President Tinubu said his administration remained focused on consolidating economic gains recorded in the past year and building a resilient, inclusive and growth-oriented economy.

    He noted that the fiscal reset initiated by his government had begun to restore confidence and stability across key sectors.

    He said: “A few days ago, I presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly.

    “In that address, I emphasised that our administration has implemented critical reforms that are laying a solid foundation for long-term stability and prosperity.

    “With patience, fiscal discipline, and unity of purpose, Nigeria will emerge in 2026 stronger and better positioned for sustained growth.”

    According to the President, Nigeria closed 2025 on a strong economic note, recording robust GDP growth in every quarter, with annualised growth projected to exceed four per cent.

    He added that the country maintained trade surpluses, achieved greater exchange-rate stability and steadily reduced inflation, which fell below 15 per cent in line with government targets.

    He further highlighted the performance of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, which, he said, outperformed its peers with a 48.12 per cent gain in 2025, consolidating a bullish run that began in the second half of 2023.

    President Tinubu also said Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025, providing a strong buffer against external shocks and strengthening confidence in the naira.

    On foreign investment, the President said investor confidence was returning, as foreign direct investment rose sharply to $720 million in the third quarter of 2025 from $90 million in the preceding quarter.

    He said global credit rating agencies, including Moody’s, Fitch and Standard & Poor’s, had consistently affirmed and applauded Nigeria’s economic direction.

    On security, the President acknowledged that economic progress must go hand in hand with peace and stability, noting that Nigeria continued to face threats from criminal and terrorist elements.

    He noted that in collaboration with international partners, including the United States, decisive actions were taken against terrorist targets in parts of the North-west on December 24, with sustained military operations continuing across the Northwest and Northeast.

    President Tinubu pledged that in 2026, Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies would deepen cooperation with regional and global partners to eliminate all threats to national security.

    He reaffirmed his commitment to protecting lives, property and the territorial integrity of the country, while restating his belief in decentralised policing, complemented by properly regulated forest guards, as part of the solution to insecurity.

    President Tinubu said his administration would continue to invest in modernising critical infrastructure, including roads, power, ports, railways, airports, pipelines, healthcare, education and agriculture, stressing that all ongoing projects would continue without interruption.

    In a call for national unity, the President urged Nigerians to see nation-building as a shared responsibility, emphasising the need for patriotism, integrity and collective purpose in achieving the country’s goals.

    “To achieve our objectives in 2026, we must all play our part,” he said. “Let us resolve to be better citizens, better neighbours and better stewards of our nation.”

    He wished Nigerians a peaceful, productive and prosperous New Year, while praying for divine protection for the country and its armed forces, and the defeat of all forces threatening national peace and stability.

  • Obi’s defection opens battle for ADC ticket with Atiku

    Obi’s defection opens battle for ADC ticket with Atiku

    The stage is set for the battle for the 2027 presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Yesterday, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the opposition party, which serves as the platform for coalition forces led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    Contrary to the general feeling that ADC is being repositioned for the realisation of Atiku’s presidential ambition, Obi’s defection may have set up the battle with the Adamawa-born politician for the ticket.

    Obi, who ran for president on the platform of the LP in 2023 defected to the ADC during the  meeting of Southeast party chieftains held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, capital of Enugu State.

    He was received into the fold by the Interim National Chairman, former Senate President David Mark, who applauded him for the bold step.

    Mark said Obi’s entry into the ADC signalled the return of the Southeast to the centre of national decision-making, adding that it is a clean break from politics of exclusion, deceit and broken promises.

    The Southeast geo-political zone which was controlled mainly by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 1991, is now dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The ruling party has three governors – Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) controls Anmabra, while Labour Party holds sway in Abia.

    Mark added: “Together, we will enthrone internal democracy, respect for party members and people-oriented governance. Our collective vision is a secure nation, a productive economy driven by true federalism, massive job creation, youth and women inclusion.”

    He assured new members of mutual respect, fairness, transparency and genuine partnership within the party, urging them to integrate into party structures, mobilise at the grassroots and deepen the ADC’s presence across the Southeast and beyond.

    Mark said: “This event is not just a reception; it marks the foundation of a strong and winning national coalition. ADC is your home. Together, we will rewrite Nigeria’s political story and secure a better future for generations to come.”

    Justifying his defection, Obi said it was guided by patriotism and the overriding national interest.

    He said he had decided to team up with ADC leaders to liberate the country from leadership failure.

    Southeast ADC stalwarts hailed the defection, saying that it would offer a veritable integrative platform for the zone.

    READ ALSO: CBN posts $4.6b balance of payment surplus, PMI hits 57.6 points

    Obi called for unity, credible elections and purposeful leadership to pave the way for socio-economic transformation.

    He said Nigeria was at a historic crossroads, stressing that moments of deep national crisis demand courage, clarity of purpose and decisive action.

    Obi said: “My decision to join the ADC is guided solely by patriotism and national interest. We must rescue Nigeria from division, injustice and ineffective leadership, and return power to the people.”

    He lamented what he described as the systematic erosion of democratic values, electoral malpractice and institutional weakness, insisting that electoral integrity should be the foundation of national rebirth.

    Obi called for the reforms of the electoral process, particularly the strengthening of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), credible transmission of results and strict adherence to electoral laws ahead of the 2027 general election.

    The former governor decried rising poverty, youth unemployment, insecurity and corruption, saying that over 130 million Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty.

    But the Julius Abure faction of the LP chided Obi for compounding the party’s protracted crisis before leaving.

    The faction apologised to Nigerians for fielding him as candidate in the last general election.

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti, the only governor elected on the ticket of the LP, said although Obi informed him before leaving the party, he has no intention of abandoning it.

    Also, Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, who reacted to the defection, said Obi cannot lead Nigeria because nations are built with home-grown policies and not cut-and-paste ideas.

    It was the third time the former governor would change parties since 2013 when he completed his two terms as governor.

    In 2019, he defected from APGA on the platform in which he ruled Anambra State to PDP, where he paired with Atiku as running mate during the poll.

    In 2023, Obi, who also left the PDP to LP to run for president, came third during the election, trailing Atiku of PDP and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC.

    Others at the event were Senator Aminu Tambuwal, Dr. Pat Utomi, Senator Ben Obi, Senator Tony Nwoye, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Chief Simon Okeke, Mrs. Josephine Anini, Idu Emeka, Sheumi, Harrison Ogara, Achike Udenwa, Sam Egwu, Okwesilieze Nwodo and Emeka Ihedioha; Senator Victor Umeh and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe;

    Ihedioha, a former Imo State Governor, who moved the motion for the adoption of the ADC as a platform for Southeast stakeholders, said the region had suffered prolonged exclusion from the centre since 2015 and required a credible vehicle to guarantee inclusion, relevance and effective participation in national governance.

    He urged political leaders and supporters in the region to register massively with the ADC as a historic step towards restoring balance, justice and national cohesion.

    I’m not leaving LP, says Otti

    Otti said he has no intention of leaving LP, unless efforts to redeem the party fail.

    The governor, who reacted to the defection during his media chat at Umuahia, the state capital, said: “I joined Labour Party before Peter Obi. I didn’t join the Labour Party with him. He communicated me that he was leaving Labour Party and I gave him my blessings, but I remain in Labour Party.”

    He added: “I told him that I will have to continue the struggle to rescue Labour Party. That’s the party that brought me to power.

    “If we fight and get to the end and we can’t retrieve Labour Party, then, we can now discuss options. But for now, I am not defecting with him.”

    Abure: Obi unfit as candidate

    The Abure LP-faction in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the former governor had lost the 2023 charm.

    Ifoh mocked his defection speech, describing it as “lacklustre,” and “wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians.”

    He said the party was finally liberated by Obi’s defection, adding that it is a blessing.

    The statement reads in part: “It will be on record that the leadership of the Labour Party had since urged Obi and his disgruntled followers to exit the party if they were unable to work with the leadership of the party.

    “As a matter of fact, the party had suspended many of the lawmakers for anti party and was clearly going to meet the same treatment on the Presidential Candidate but for the intervention of some well meaning Nigerians.

    “The crisis we had in the Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia state governor, Dr. Alex Otti. It was them that sponsored the insurrection against the Julius Abure leadership. We had also expected Governor Otti to follow Obi out of the party. We are surprised that even though he has been suspended from the party, he is still loitering around. It is still not too late for him to follow his political leader.”

    Why Obi can’t lead, by Onanuga

    Chiding Obi for hypocrisy, Onanuga said no country can achieve sustainable development by simply copying ideas and models from other nations without regard to local realities.

    In a post on Onanuga’s verified X handle, @aonanuga1956, Onanuga said that leadership requires originality and deep understanding of a nation’s peculiar circumstances, not imitation of foreign experiences.

    He said: “Nations are not identical, and what worked in Indonesia or the USA may not necessarily work in Nigeria. No leader can move a country forward by simply copying and pasting models from elsewhere. Nations require original thinkers, not copycats. Homegrown solutions are essential for proper development.”

    The presidential aide noted that Obi had abandoned the party he used to pursue his “ill-fated” presidential ambition in 2023, adding that nearly three years after the election, he is still aggrieved about the outcome.

    He said: “About three years after the 2023 election, Obi, the wandering politician, who moved from APGA to PDP to Labour and now ADC, still sounded bitter about coming third.

    “He continues to claim he was robbed of victory, even though empirical analyses of the poll showed he could not have won and was fortunate to even emerge third because of the anomalous polling figures recorded for him in his South East region.”

    In tweet on his X, Atiku expressed the hope that Obi’s defection would deepen relationship.

    The tweet reads: “Today marks a significant moment in the history of political coalitions in our country, with the official declaration of my brother and associate, Peter Obi, into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    “It is my pleasure to welcome him officially, as we look forward to a robust working relationship that will foster a virile opposition, one that will ultimately form a government capable of bringing prosperity and peace to our people.”

    ‘Obidient Movement will follow Obi to ADC’

    The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, said the supporters  will follow Obi to the ADC.

    Speaking on phone, he said: “We have made our position categorically clear right from the beginning that wherever Peter Obi is going we are going with him. We will make a declaration soon.

    “You can see at the declaration today that it was the Obidient Movement logo and that of the ADC. That is to tell you that we are stepping our foot where Obi steps his own foot. There is no ambiguity in that regard.”

  • Nigeria Revenue Service unveils new logo as FIRS goes to rest 

    Nigeria Revenue Service unveils new logo as FIRS goes to rest 

    The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), which has replaced the now-defunct Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has unveiled its institutional brand identity (logo) as part of efforts to reposition the country’s revenue administration structure.

    The agency came into operation following the signing of the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act 2025 by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025, marking a major shift in the legal and operational framework governing tax administration in the country.

    Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Zacch Adedeji, said the launch of the logo and accompanying brand elements represents an important milestone in the evolution of Nigeria’s revenue administration framework.

    A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dare Adekanmbi, quoted him as saying that “the unveiling of the NRS identity reflects a renewed commitment to a more unified, efficient, and service-oriented revenue system, one that is aligned with Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda and global best practices.”

    Adedeji noted that the new institutional identity “signals continuity of purpose, strengthened institutional capacity, and a forward-looking approach to supporting taxpayers and national development.”

    According to the statement, the NRS sees its renewed identity as part of a broader effort to build confidence and improve engagement with taxpayers across the country. It said, “The Nigeria Revenue Service remains committed to transparency, partnership, and service excellence. The unveiling of this new identity represents not an end, but the beginning of a strengthened relationship between the revenue authority and the Nigerian public — built on trust, clarity, and shared prosperity.”

    The event marks one of the first major public steps taken by the new agency since its establishment, with the NRS leadership positioning the reform as a foundation for deeper administrative efficiency and a modern, responsive tax system in support of national development.

  • Tinubu kept to agreement made to Rivers state – Wike 

    Tinubu kept to agreement made to Rivers state – Wike 

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Wednesday commended President Bola Tinubu for keeping to promises he made to the people of Rivers State while campaigning before the 2023 presidential election. 

    Wike compared Tinubu to Rivers State Governor, Similalaye Fubara whom he said has not kept to agreement made to his people. 

    Wike said this during a “Thank You Visit’” to Emele Local Government Area of Rivers. 

    He said Tinubu has put smiles on the faces of the people of Rivers, adding that they will always support him to achieve re-election. 

    The minister disclosed that part of the decision was to support Tinubu’s reelection for a second term and correct the leadership mistake in Rivers. 

    He stressed that no amount of money would change their course saying, “When they lose power they will know what they have done. 

    “Ask your governor what he told President Bola Tinubu during the meeting. If he did not say anything, I will. 

    “President Bola Tinubu has kept to agreement while governor did not keep to agreement. 

    “We have done it before and we are going to do it again. We are prepared; we have made a decision and we are not going back. I want you to be strong. Nobody will intimidate us”.

    He explained that the people that were entrusted with power in Rivers have been misled by money and power, adding that greed and lack of gratitude lead to downfall.

    He said he was in the community to thank Eleme people for standing firm with Tinubu; “and I want to say that I have not taken your support for granted.

    “In spite of all the troubles, Tinubu decided that I, a South South person, should be the Minister of FCT. It has never happened before. 

    “Also, the ongoing development in this area has never happened before until Tinubu became President”.

    Earlier, Chief Aforji Igwe, representing Eleme in Rivers Assembly, described Wike as a “fair, just and a man of integrity.”

    Igwe pledged the support of Eleme people to the minister due to his outstanding support to the people.

    Also, Chairman of Eleme Council, Chief Obarilormate Ollor, commended Wike for all the infrastructural intervention in the area during his time as governor of Rivers.

    Ollor assured Wike that the people were with him and ready to go wherever he asked them to go.

    He said the people were already aware of his directive for the reelection of Tinubu but awaiting the directive for the governorship election in 2027.

  • JUST IN: Gunmen abduct former Ogun lawmaker Musa

    JUST IN: Gunmen abduct former Ogun lawmaker Musa

    A former member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Moruf Musa, has been abducted by gunmen and taken to an undisclosed location.

    Musa was reportedly kidnapped on Tuesday evening at about 7pm from his residence in Ibiade, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    The hotelier, who previously served as Chief Whip of the Ogun State House of Assembly, is also the Coordinator of the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Movement, a group promoting the 2027 second-term senatorial ambition of Senator Gbenga Daniel, who represents Ogun East in the 10th Senate.

    As of the time of filing this report, it was unclear whether the kidnappers had contacted Musa’s family to demand a ransom.

    When contacted on the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, confirmed that the police were already handling the matter.

    “We are working on it,” Ogunlowo said.

  • JUST IN: Peter Obi dumps Labour Party for ADC

    JUST IN: Peter Obi dumps Labour Party for ADC

    Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has announced his decision to leave the Labour Party and align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the move as part of his broader commitment to Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation.

    In a statement he issued on Wednesday, Obi said Nigeria is at a critical point in its history and requires clear purpose, unity and decisive action to address its challenges. 

    He noted that moments of national difficulty often demand fresh approaches and renewed resolve in order to secure a better future.

    According to him, Nigeria must recommit itself to true democratic values rooted in self-determination, equality and national cohesion. 

    He stressed that governance should reflect the will of the people and work in the collective interest of citizens.

    Obi reaffirmed his commitment to the defence and strengthening of Nigeria’s democratic system, emphasising the importance of credible, transparent and fair elections. 

    He called for comprehensive reforms of the electoral process, including strict adherence to electoral laws, improved transparency and institutional efficiency, noting that electoral integrity remains central to responsive and accountable governance.

    He warned that Nigeria, given its size, population and importance to Africa and the global economy, cannot afford democratic setbacks, adding that protecting democracy is essential ahead of future elections.

    Despite the challenges, Obi said he remains optimistic about Nigeria’s future, citing the country’s vast human and natural resources. 

    He reiterated his belief that a functional, inclusive and productive Nigeria is achievable with the right leadership, unity and policy direction.

    He explained that his political journey has been shaped by years of learning, leadership training and exposure to global best practices in governance and nation-building. 

    Drawing lessons from countries that have successfully achieved unity and development, Obi said Nigeria can also chart a new path towards stability and growth.

    Obi concluded by reaffirming his commitment to working with like-minded Nigerians within the ADC to pursue national unity, effective leadership and sustainable development for the benefit of all citizens.

  • Why Tax Laws must take off fully now, by Tinubu

    Why Tax Laws must take off fully now, by Tinubu

    • President dismisses implementation postponement call
    • Law meant to reset tax system
    • NECA back s Fed Govt

    The final verdict on tomorrow’s full take-off of the tax laws came yesterday.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed that the date is sacrosanct.

    His position, made known in a statement, gave a stamp to Minister for Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris’ earlier statement that there was no going back on the January 1 commencement date.

    Following the observation by House of Representatives member Abdussamad Dasuki (PDP Sokoto) that the Gazetted version of the law is different from the copy passed by the National Assembly, opposition figures and some interest groups that have always opposed the tax reform process began agitating for the suspension of the laws’ takeoff.

    But Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, argued that it was too late in the day to stop the law because two of the four tax laws were already operational, arguing that the remaining two are billed to begin tomorrow.

    The President declared that the reforms represent a historic reset of the country’s fiscal architecture and not an attempt to impose higher taxes on citizens.

    In a statement personally signed by him, he said the tax reforms were “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a fair, competitive and robust fiscal foundation for Nigeria”.

    He stressed that the implementation phase would proceed as scheduled despite public controversy.

    President Tinubu said: “The new tax laws, including those that took effect on June 26, 2025, and the remaining acts scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026, will continue as planned.”

    He emphasised that the reforms were not revenue-hunting measures but a deliberate effort to harmonise Nigeria’s fragmented tax system, reduce duplication across tiers of government, and strengthen trust between citizens and the state.

    The President said: “The tax laws are not designed to raise taxes, but rather to support a structural reset, drive harmonisation, and protect dignity while strengthening the social contract.

    “I urge all stakeholders – state governments, businesses, labour unions and professional bodies –to support the implementation phase, which is now firmly in the delivery stage.”

    President Tinubu’s comments came amid sustained criticism over allegations that some provisions of the tax laws were altered after passage by the National Assembly.

    Some groups had faulted the discrepancies between versions passed by lawmakers and those later gazetted, prompting calls for a suspension of the laws.

    Rejecting such demands, the President said no material irregularity had been established to justify halting a comprehensive reform process.

    “Our administration is aware of the public discourse surrounding alleged changes to some provisions of the recently enacted tax laws.

    “No substantial issue has been established that warrants a disruption of the reform process,” he said.

    Read Also: ‘Tax Laws won’t push up air fares’

    Warning against what he described as reactive governance, President Tinubu added: “Absolute trust is built over time through making the right decisions, not through premature, reactive measures.”

    He nevertheless reassured Nigerians of his commitment to due process, pledging continued engagement with the National Assembly to resolve any genuine issues that may arise during implementation.

    President Tinubu said: “I emphasise our administration’s unwavering commitment to due process and the integrity of enacted laws.

    “We will work with the National Assembly to ensure the swift resolution of any issue identified.

    “The Federal Government will continue to act in the overriding public interest to ensure a tax system that supports prosperity and shared responsibility.”

    The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disagreed, urging the President to suspend the implementation and “listen to the voice of Nigerians.”

    In a statement yesterday, the Turaki-led PDP faction accused the Tinubu administration of prioritising revenue over citizens’ welfare, citing alleged “dangerous provisions” purportedly smuggled into the laws.

    The PDP warned that insisting on the January 1 start date despite unresolved discrepancies “clearly shows where the priority of the government lies – between Nigerians and money”.

    It reminded the President that democratic obedience to laws depends on public trust in the legislative process.

    President Tinubu, on assumption of office, initiated a comprehensive reform of the tax regime in the country.

    He set up a presidential panel to put together a new system of taxation after consultations across the country.

    At the end of the panels’ work, four tax reform Bills were forwarded to the National Assembly.

    The proposal drew flak from North’s political leaders and governors, who expressed open opposition to tax reform.

    The National Economic Council advised the President to withdraw the Bills from the lawmakers to allow for wider consultation, but the President refused, urging those who had misgivings to table them before the lawmakers during the public hearing.

    Opposition figures also seized the opportunity to disparage the government, but the President was unyielding.

    The Bills were eventually passed by both chambers of the National Assembly – House of Representatives on March 18 and Senate on May 7. The President signed the Bills on May 26.

    The implementation started in June with two of the laws.

    Another round of opposition to the laws came after a lawmaker alleged differences in the version passed by the lawmakers and the law he gazette.

    NECA backs implementation of new tax legislation

    The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) expressed support for the implementation of new tax legislation.

    At a news conference in Lagos yesterday, NECA’s Director-General of NECA, Mr. Wale Smatt-Oyerinde, commended the presidential committee for constructively engaging with all stakeholders, in spite of efforts to misinform the Nigerian populace on its intention.

    He urged the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to collaborate with the organised private sector in a bid to deepen awareness of the new tax laws.

    The NECA boss said the tax reform legislation remained a significant item that had witnessed the most excellent form of organised chaos in Nigeria’s political history.

    He urged the Federal Government to proceed with the implementation of the laws, as the issue of alteration raised by the National Assembly is not sufficient to hinder it, considering its economic objectives.

    Smart-Oyerinde said: “We cannot continue to run the system the way it was run with a lot of inconsistencies. No law is perfect, and that is why we have made provisions for amendments.

    “As we proceed, we can make necessary amendments, and by doing so, we are building an institution.”

    He said the tax laws were aimed at creating a more conducive and productive business environment for the private sector, thereby generating jobs that would address the root cause of insecurity in Nigeria.

    Smatt-Oyerinde said the stiff resistance faced by the reforms alone was an indication that some forces were against the growth of the Nigerian economy.

    He said: “I have never seen a regulation or legislation that witnessed this kind of engagement or antagonism; I also probably have not seen an item in our lives that has witnessed this kind of organised chaos.”

    “However, the committee has done tremendous work, moving from one place to another.

    “We all saw the issues, until two weeks ago, when it was alleged that the version gazetted was different from the one passed by the National Assembly.”

    He urged that the tax legislation be allowed to run seamlessly, for the betterment of the nation.