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At United Nations Ecosoc, Nigeria Renews Call For Fair International Tex Practices

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Nigeria has, again called on the United Nations and the International Tax Community to forge an inclusive, equitable, fair and universally beneficial international tax system towards the attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Making the call on behalf of the country, Mr. Muhammad Nami, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) stated this while delivering Nigeria’s Statement at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Special Meeting on International Cooperation in Tax Matters, held on Friday, at the ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York.

Mr. Nami noted that the Nigerian delegation is concerned about the global minimum tax as put forward by the OECD – Inclusive Framework, because of its low rate and the way it was negotiated to benefit the home countries of multinationals.

“My delegation is concerned about the global minimum tax,” Mr. Nami noted, “because of its low rate and the way it was negotiated to benefit the home countries of multinationals, which are mostly in developed countries.”

Speaking further, the head of Nigeria’s apex tax authority urged the meeting to discuss how “a UN instrument on tax cooperation can both build on work that has already been done in a way that guarantees fairness and equity.”

He also said that Nigeria looks forward to views on “enforcement mechanisms for a binding multilateral tax convention, noting the challenges that developing and developed countries have experienced with investment treaty arbitration.”

Mr. Muhammad Nami, in the country’s statement pointed out that the capacity of countries to attain the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals were hinged on having the requisite funding “in delivering critical public services” towards these SDGs.

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Nigeria, while calling for a global taxation regime under the United Nations, harped on the importance of enhancing domestic resource mobilization among member States to address their economic challenges.

“The promotion of inclusive International Tax Cooperation remains a critical subject in the attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Today a global taxation regime under the UN is urgently needed to enable States effectively mobilize domestic revenues to address the multiple economic and other crises impacting our efforts in the achievement of the 2030 SDGs.

“Domestic public resource mobilization is critical to this effort because of its vital role in delivering critical public services and advancing even progress towards the sustainable development agenda.

“Developing countries are taking seriously the challenge of financing sustainable development. My delegation underscores the importance of enhancing domestic resource mobilization, good governance and investment in our common African goal embodied in the Agenda 2063, and in the global goals spelled out in the 2030 Agenda,” Mr. Nami stated.

He further commended African countries for strengthening their participation in international tax cooperation efforts, as well as the strides they have made “in closing loopholes and countering base erosion and profit shifting.”

He however expressed concerns that “while much good work has been done, much more remains to be made towards a fully inclusive process, both domestically and internationally and ensuring that all taxpayers are making their fair contributions.”

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) Special Meeting on International Cooperation in Tax Matters is an annual meeting of ECOSOC members, senior representatives of national tax authorities, relevant international organizations, civil society and academia that discusses issues of taxation as it affects the globe. Members, during this meeting, deliver action-oriented exchanges and design best-practices on international tax issues.

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This year’s meeting provided a forum for member states, members of the UN Tax Committee, international organizations and other stakeholders to discuss on the promotion of inclusive and effective international tax cooperation at the United Nations.

Johannes Oluwatobi Wojuola
Special Assistant to the Executive Chairman, FIRS
(Media & Communication)
April 2, 2023

Photo: Muhammad Nami, Executive Chairman FIRS, at the 2023 ECOSOC Special Meeting on International Cooperation in Tax Matters at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, United States (March 31st, 2023).

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Recall election costlier than constituency election – INEC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is more expensive to conduct a recall election than a constituency election.

Special Adviser to INEC Chairman, Mohammed Kunna, made this statement during an online discussion on “INEC Regulation and Guidelines for Recall 2024.” The discussion also covered BVAS and IREV: Facts and Myths.

The event was held on Saturday via the X social media platform.

Kunna explained that conducting a recall election was similar to conducting three constituency elections.

“Once a petition is received and verified to meet legal requirements, INEC must first conduct a verification exercise at the affected polling units.

“For that verification to happen, we have to use the Bi-Modal Voter Verification System (BVAS) because those who signed the petition must be verified as genuine registered voters in those units.

“Then, INEC needs to establish 50 per cent plus one signature from the constituency.

“After that, we proceed to the final stage: conducting the referendum, which involves a yes or no vote by registered voters in the constituency,” Kunna said.

He added that this process involved mobilising staff, deploying election materials, transportation, and other resources, much like conducting three senatorial district elections.

“In my opinion, the recall process is much more expensive than conducting a single senatorial district election,” he said.

The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, acknowledged the high cost but emphasised that INEC must adhere to the law.

“What is important is what the law says we should do in each case if constituents wish to recall their representatives,” Oyekanmi said.

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Earlier, Oyekanmi explained that INEC’s regulations and the Electoral Act specified the process for conducting a recall election.

“The law allows a recall election only if the petitioners meet constitutional requirements, including submitting signatures from at least half of the registered voters in the constituency.

“Once the petition is received, INEC performs a preliminary check and then verifies the signatures.

“The lawmaker facing recall is informed and has the right to deploy agents to observe the process.

“Observers and media personnel can also participate in the verification and referendum,” he said.

Oyekanmi also addressed the possibility of online voting, stating that the Constitution did not permit INEC to conduct electronic voting.(NAN)

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Ekiti governor approves waterway dredging to prevent flooding

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Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the dredging of more waterways in various communities to prevent flooding as the rainy season begins.

The Chairman of the Ekiti State Environmental Protection Agency (EKSEPA), Chief Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, confirmed this to journalists on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti.

Oguntoyinbo stated that some affected waterways are in Ado-Ekiti, Otun-Ekiti, Ido-Ekiti, Ise-Ekiti, and Ekiti West Local Government Area.

He emphasised that the initiative is necessary to curb flooding and urged residents to stop blocking waterways with refuse.

“I sincerely thank the governor for approving the dredging of waterways in towns and communities across Ekiti.

“EKSEPA has begun dredging in Otun-Ekiti, Ido-Ekiti, and other parts of the state to prevent flooding in all areas.

“I appeal to residents to refrain from dumping refuse in waterways to avert flooding,” he stated.

Oguntoyinbo commended the governor for taking proactive steps to protect life and property from flooding.

“I thank the governor for his efforts in safeguarding lives and properties. I urge all residents to dispose of their refuse properly at designated sites,” he said. (NAN)

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INEC: BVAS, IReV not electoral scam, but tools for electoral transparency

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) are not scams.

INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Dr Lawrence Bayode, made this clarification during a conversation organised by the commission on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday in Abuja.

In his presentation, titled “BVAS and IREV: Facts and Myths,” Bayode said both BVAS and IREV were technological innovations aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s electoral process.

He emphasised that INEC had taken bold steps and made concerted efforts to improve the credibility, transparency, and accuracy of elections through technology.

Bayode described BVAS and IREV as key components of Nigeria’s election process, noting that various misconceptions had created doubts about their functions.

“There is a belief that BVAS and IREV are scams.

“This misconception arises from misunderstandings, technical issues, and general distrust in the electoral process. However, this belief is incorrect,” he said.

“BVAS verifies voters using fingerprint and facial recognition, ensuring that only accredited voters cast their ballots.

“IREV is an online portal that allows the public to view scanned polling unit results for transparency. It does not count votes or collate results.”

He dismissed the notion that technical failures, such as slow uploads, server downtimes, or network issues, equated to fraud.

“These challenges do not mean the system was designed to deceive voters. Rather, they highlight areas that need improvement in election management,” he explained.

Bayode further debunked the myth that BVAS transmitted election results, stressing that its primary role was voter accreditation and authentication.

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“BVAS does not directly transmit election results. Instead, results are recorded on Form EC8A, which is then uploaded to IREV,” he stated.

“BVAS is used at polling units for voter accreditation. IREV is an online platform where scanned polling unit results are uploaded for public viewing.”

“BVAS significantly reduces voter impersonation and over-voting, other electoral malpractices, such as violence and vote-buying, can still occur,” he noted.

He also dispelled the myth that voting could not continue if BVAS failed, explaining that INEC provided backup devices, and in rare cases, elections in affected polling units might be rescheduled.

Bayode highlighted BVAS’ role in reducing electoral fraud, stating that voter impersonation and multiple voting had been significantly curbed since its introduction.

“IREV has also enhanced transparency by allowing citizens to verify polling unit results in real time.

“Before IREV, election results were not easily accessible to the public. Now, discrepancies can be identified, which proves the system enhances transparency rather than being a scam,” he said.

INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP), Victoria Eta-Messi, added that the commission was collaborating with the National Assembly and stakeholders to amend the Electoral Act, particularly on election results management.

She also reiterated INEC’s commitment to voter education to build public trust, reduce voter apathy, and promote credible elections.(NAN)

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