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Tax Reform Controversy: Northern Redemption Coalition’s Call for Ndume’s Recall Questioned by Southern Borno Group
The Southern Borno Concerned Citizens (SBCC) have voiced strong disapproval of the Northern Redemption Coalition (NRC), led by Adamu Bashir, which has called for the recall of Senator Mohammed Ndume (APC Borno South) through a sponsored advertisement in national newspapers. This demand follows Ndume’s opposition to the Tax Reform Bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly.
President Bola Tinubu recently introduced four legislative proposals, including the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, and the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, aimed at overhauling the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Act. These proposed changes have faced backlash from the Northern Governors Forum, youth groups, and stakeholders, including Senator Ndume, who argue that the VAT Bill could exacerbate economic difficulties and impoverish communities in the North.
Comrade Bulama Sawa, the National Chairman and Spokesperson for SBCC, issued a statement in Maiduguri criticizing Bashir’s call for Ndume’s recall, describing it as a misguided attack on a dedicated public servant who consistently advocates for the welfare of his constituents and Nigerians at large.
Sawa emphasized that while he typically would not engage with a faceless organization like the NRC, it was necessary to clarify the situation for the public. He reinforced Ndume’s commitment to denouncing the Tax Reforms and his readiness to offer constructive criticism of any policy that jeopardizes the electorate’s interests.
“We could easily dismiss the unfounded claims from the so-called ‘No. 1 Redemption Coalition’ and its unverifiable leader, Adamu Bashir, regarding our Senator’s stance,” Sawa stated. “We stand united with the Northern Governors, esteemed Northern Elders, the National Economic Council, and Senator Ndume in opposing these detrimental tax reforms.”
Sawa challenged Bashir to reveal his identity and provide clarity on how the citizens of Southern Borno have diverged from Ndume’s position. He asserted that Ndume’s remarks on Channels TV accurately reflect his constituents’ views, highlighting the negative implications of the proposed tax bills, especially for those already facing economic hardship in the North.
Instead of addressing Ndume’s legitimate concerns, Bashir opted to promote a poorly constructed argument for his unspecified supporters, suggesting an outrageous recall of the Senator. Sawa argued that Ndume’s position has only strengthened community support for his dedication to their well-being.
Sawa pointed out that this is a crucial time for tax relief, citing examples from neighboring countries like Ghana, which recently reduced its VAT rate significantly, and Kenya, where public protests erupted against proposed tax changes. He noted that many fiscal reforms seem disconnected from the daily realities faced by Nigerians.
The SBCC firmly supports Ndume, asserting that the people of Southern Borno are satisfied with his representation and will continue to back him. Sawa urged individuals like Bashir to recognize the importance of true leadership that defends the interests of the populace rather than promoting questionable policies.
Regarding allegations that Senator Ndume is out of touch with his constituents, Sawa described such claims as laughable. He highlighted Ndume’s open-door policy and his commitment to engaging with the community, regardless of class, ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation. This approach has earned him the trust of his constituents, allowing him to serve multiple terms in the National Assembly.
Sawa also noted Ndume’s role in sponsoring bills that established the Nigerian Army University in Biu and the Federal College of Education in Gwoza, along with numerous community-oriented projects, such as classroom construction, borehole drilling, agricultural support, and capacity-building initiatives for youth and women.
He concluded by urging media professionals to verify information, particularly from individuals like Bashir, to prevent misrepresentation in the public domain.
A member of Nigeria’s opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has publicly disavowed his role in a recent protest targeting Bello Matawalle, the country’s Minister of State for Defence, claiming the demonstration was a politically motivated scheme orchestrated by the Zamfara State Government.
Kamilu Ibrahim, who identified himself as an active PDP member and one of the protest’s organisers, issued a statement on Saturday retracting his involvement and apologising to Matawalle.
“It’s important to note that I am not an indigene of Zamfara State, and none of the participants come from Zamfara State.”
He alleged that the protest was not driven by genuine grievances but was instead sponsored by Zamfara’s PDP-led government under Governor Dauda Lawal Dare to discredit Matawalle, a prominent figure in the rival All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ibrahim said Dauda promised us $100 to each protester, and we have over 330 members. He has not kept his promise.
“The reason we are begging Matawalle to forgive us is that we found out we were fooled and misled by false information to deceive the public.
“We are sorry for any damage we have caused you, Ibrahim told Matawalle.
“I believed at the time that our actions were justified,” Ibrahim said.
“However, after reviewing the facts and listening to credible reports, I now realise that the allegations against Matawalle are unfounded and politically motivated.”
Ibrahim further claimed that the organisers of the protest were not APC members, as reported in some media outlets, but PDP loyalists acting on instructions from the Zamfara State Government. He accused Governor Lawal of orchestrating the campaign to undermine Matawalle for political gain.
Ibrahim suggested that Governor Lawal has been avoiding a summons by Nigeria’s National Assembly, fearing that a federal inquiry could expose administrative failures and potentially lead to the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
“Governor Lawal is deliberately avoiding the National Assembly’s invitation,” Ibrahim alleged, citing concerns that an investigation could reveal “the truth” about the state’s security and governance challenges.
Ibrahim’s statement casts fresh doubt on the credibility of the allegations against him, framing them as part of a broader political vendetta.
In his statement, Ibrahim expressed regret for his role in the protest and sought Matawalle’s forgiveness.
“I sincerely apologise to Honourable Bello Matawalle for the role I played,” he said, vowing not to participate in “such deceitful agendas” in the future.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning regarding an escalating hunger crisis affecting millions in West and Central Africa. The region is grappling with unprecedented levels of food insecurity driven by conflict, displacement, economic challenges, and extreme weather events.
Recent analyses indicate that approximately 36 million people are currently unable to secure their basic food needs, a figure expected to exceed 52 million during the critical lean season from June to August. Among those affected, nearly three million individuals are experiencing emergency conditions, with 2,600 individuals in Mali facing the threat of catastrophic hunger.
Despite the alarming rise in food insecurity, resources remain critically limited, placing millions at risk. Margot van der Velden, Regional Director for West and Central Africa, emphasized, “Without immediate funding, WFP will be compelled to further reduce both the number of individuals assisted and the size of food rations provided.”
In comparison to 2019, when only four percent of the population faced food insecurity, the current figure has surged to 30 percent, according to Ollo Sib, a senior research adviser at WFP. He expressed hope that the urgency of the situation in the Sahel would capture the attention it deserves during a press conference in Geneva from Dakar.
Sib recently visited some of the hardest-hit areas, including northern Ghana, where communities are dealing with severe drought conditions. “They have had to replant two to three times, and each failed sowing exacerbates their financial strain due to the high costs of fertilizers and seeds,” he noted.
The assessment team also traveled to northern Mali, the only region where catastrophic food security conditions are reported. Sib recounted conversations with pastoralist elders who typically sell livestock to purchase cereals but are now facing a 50 percent increase in food prices compared to the five-year average, all while struggling to access markets.
WFP highlighted that ongoing conflict is a key driver of the worsening hunger situation in West and Central Africa. More than 10 million vulnerable individuals have been displaced due to violence, including over two million refugees and asylum seekers in Chad, Cameroon, Mauritania, and Niger, with an additional eight million internally displaced, particularly in Nigeria and Cameroon.
Rising food and fuel costs have compounded the problem, leading to soaring levels of hunger. Furthermore, recurrent extreme weather events continue to undermine families’ ability to provide for themselves.
WFP is prepared to enhance its response and vital assistance efforts in West Africa and the Sahel, seeking $710 million to support life-saving operations until the end of October. Their goal is to assist nearly 12 million individuals this year, with three million already reached, including refugees, internally displaced persons, and vulnerable children and women.
However, the agency warns that five million people are at risk of losing access to assistance unless urgent funding is secured. WFP has also urged governments and partners to invest in sustainable solutions that strengthen resilience and reduce long-term reliance on aid.
Since 2018, WFP has collaborated with regional governments to tackle the root causes of hunger, successfully rehabilitating over 300,000 hectares of land to benefit more than four million people across 3,400 villages. (NAN)
Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, announced that the federal government successfully prosecuted and convicted 226 terrorism suspects in December 2024.
Fagbemi attributed this success to intentional efforts aimed at enhancing the criminal justice system in Nigeria.
During a special engagement session on Thursday, he provided updates to Nigerians and stakeholders on the achievements of the Federal Ministry of Justice and its agencies in advancing the criminal justice administration from October 2024 to the present.
He highlighted significant improvements in the prosecution of crimes under the Ministry’s jurisdiction. “Between December 9 and 13, 2024, we effectively conducted 237 terrorism cases, resulting in the successful prosecution and conviction of 226 suspects,” Fagbemi stated.
He emphasized that these accomplishments stemmed from existing policies and actions focused on bolstering the capabilities of prosecutors, fostering collaboration among prosecuting agencies, and developing suitable policy frameworks in partnership with the National Security Adviser and other law enforcement bodies.
The Minister also noted other achievements, including the formation of a Joint Case Team (JCT) dedicated to addressing cybercrime.
Additionally, he mentioned that the federal government is currently reviewing the Cyber Crime Legal Framework to strengthen national regulations in line with emerging trends and global best practices.
On another front, the Minister reported progress in enhancing protections for victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) through awareness campaigns and improved access to justice. “During this reporting period, we secured six convictions for SGBV offences, including the case of Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu,” he stated.
Fagbemi further highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to developing a child-sensitive justice system that addresses the needs of children involved with the law, whether as victims, witnesses, or offenders. Efforts continue towards enacting laws against child recruitment and implementing safeguards for child offenders.
In the realm of anti-corruption and asset recovery, the Minister revealed that Nigeria signed an Asset Sharing Agreement with the United States on January 10, 2025, leading to the repatriation of assets worth $52,882,018.95. Of this amount, $50 million will fund the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) Project, designed to provide electricity access to 17.5 million Nigerians, while the remaining $2.88 million will enhance counter-terrorism capacity building for practitioners in the criminal justice sector.
Fagbemi mentioned ongoing negotiations for additional recoveries in foreign jurisdictions, including the U.S., Bailiwick of Jersey, and France, expressing hope for a swift conclusion to repatriate more funds to Nigeria.
Regarding legal aid, he disclosed that the government is enhancing access to justice through the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, which provides free legal services to low-income citizens in both criminal and civil matters. The Council managed 2,790 criminal cases and 1,021 civil matters, with 482 resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
The Council also conducted 760 visits to correctional facilities nationwide to review inmate cases and provided assistance to 637 suspects during police interviews and bail processes under its Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS).
Moreover, the Council engaged in media outreach and community sensitization campaigns on citizens’ rights and access to the criminal justice system, collaborating with traditional leaders, religious figures, and community organizations. A total of 370 sensitization campaigns were conducted during this reporting period.