The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has called for a review of the revenue allocation formula to ensure that funds are disbursed directly from the Federation Account to local government chairmen, in accordance with the recent Supreme Court ruling affirming local government financial autonomy.

RMAFC arrived at this decision at the end of a workshop in Akwa Ibom State. In a communiqué, the commission said that it aligns itself with the Supreme Court’s judgement of July 11, 2024, on local government financial autonomy, considering the fact that the current formula has been in existence for about 16 years.

The communiqué also called for a constitutional amendment to allow the inclusion of the local government chairmen and councillors among the beneficiaries of the remuneration package listed in the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

It stated that Section 162(6) of the Constitution should be amended to ensure that the allocations of the local governments are paid directly to them from the Federation Account, in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling delivered on July 11, 2024, on local government financial autonomy.

The communiqué called for the amendment of Section 162(2) to establish a clear timeline for presidential submission of RMAFC proposals to the National Assembly.

Besides, the commission called for the establishment of a National Revenue Dashboard for digital, real-time revenue tracking.

“The commission should advocate the amendment of the relevant sections of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to expand the composition of the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited to include representatives of states, local governments, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); creation of a distinct Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, separate from that of the Federal Government,” it said.

The commission, in the communiqué, said it would intensify its constitutional mandate of monitoring revenue accruals to ensure that all revenues due to the Federation Account are remitted accurately and promptly by the revenue-generating agencies.

The communiqué also stated that, according to the spirit and letter of the Constitution, the advice of the RMAFC on the remuneration package of political, public, and judicial office holders is binding on the federal and state governments.

The retreat was attended by top federal and state officials, such as the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, represented by Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad Natagwandu, and the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno who delivered a goodwill message; the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi and other distinguished personalities.

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has approved an additional one-year tax holiday for the state workforce, building on the one-year relief granted last year.

Governor Ododo made the announcement on Thursday at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre in Lokoja, as part of the 2025 May Day celebrations. He explained that this new one-year tax moratorium complements the earlier relief tied to the approval and implementation of the new national minimum wage, “to cushion the harsh economic effects facing workers.”

In addition, the Governor extended the retirement age for health professionals from sixty to sixty-five years or from thirty-five to forty years of service. He also ordered the immediate provision of potable water for the Comrade Onuh Edoka Labour House, benefiting both workers and local residents.

Acknowledging workers’ contributions to Kogi State’s development, Ododo said a responsive government “would accord priority to the welfare of workers,” while noting that organized labour’s “enormous demands… could not be met at once due to economic difficulties.” He assured that his administration “will continue to accord necessary attention to the welfare of workers, who serve as the engine room of government,” and emphasized that pensioners, as well as education, youth, and women’s empowerment initiatives, “will also be carried along.”

“Our three state-owned universities are thriving and progressing steadily, and we are happy that they have met the necessary standards and will produce manpower that will compete favourably with their counterparts across the world. Our assignment is to serve humanity,” the Governor stated.

He further disclosed that his government has consistently released N105 million monthly as gratuity to local government retirees, fulfilling “his promises to the people.”

Earlier, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Gabriel Amari, expressed appreciation to the Governor “for much he has done so far,” while urging the government to “look critically into our demands with a view to giving workers more hope.”

The State Head of Service, Dr. Elijah Evinemi, noted that the present administration “has placed workers’ welfare at the front burner,” and urged employees to reciprocate by being dedicated to their duties.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Comrade Onuh Edoka, said Governor Ododo “was the first to approve and implement the new national minimum wage, which has been acknowledged by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the country.” Comrade Edoka commended the Governor for “his courage in appointing labour leaders to key positions under his administration” and assured that “workers will reciprocate at the right time.”

The Concerned Citizens Against Corruption (CCAC) has officially disowned its convener, Comrade Kabir Matazu, following his sudden withdrawal of allegations and calls for the investigation of the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.

In a strongly worded statement released on Thursday and signed by the Secretary General of the coalition, Comrade Moses Okino, the group accused Matazu of acting under external influence and betraying the core values of the movement.

CCAC alleged that powerful interests with ties to Kyari’s tenure have been orchestrating a bribery campaign to whitewash his record.

“We, the leadership of Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, categorically state that Kabir Matazu acted alone. His press conference withdrawing our petition was not only unauthorized but disgraceful. It was an act of betrayal,” Okino declared.

“Our coalition was not consulted. There was no meeting, no consensus. We have every reason to believe that Matazu was compromised, and his actions were influenced by monetary inducements meant to derail our anti-corruption campaign.

“We have received reports that James Ume has been moving from office to office, calling activists, lobbying with cash and promises — all to ensure Mele Kyari’s tenure is not subjected to public investigation.

“What happened with Matazu is not an isolated incident. It’s part of a broader plan to intimidate and financially co-opt every voice demanding transparency. But we are not all for sale.”

Matazu had on Thursday, during a press conference in Abuja, announced that the April 23 protest led by the coalition was “hasty” and “misguided,” claiming that the group had misunderstood the legal structure of NNPCL as a limited liability company. He further praised Kyari’s leadership and retracted all earlier allegations.

But Okino described Matazu’s statements as “a complete reversal of months of research, planning, and verified evidence,” adding that the group’s original petition was backed by whistleblower intelligence and independent investigations.

“We did not arrive at our conclusions lightly. Our allegations against Mele Kyari were based on solid information regarding suspicious transactions, refinery rehabilitation funds, crude swap deals, and procurement irregularities under his watch,” Okino said.

“For Matazu to wake up one morning and claim it was all a misunderstanding insults our collective intelligence and undermines the credibility of civil society work in Nigeria.”

He said the coalition had immediately set up a disciplinary committee to investigate Matazu’s conduct, with the possibility of expelling him from the group and making its findings public.

“No one is above accountability, not even our convener. Matazu has embarrassed this coalition and will face the consequences of his reckless and suspicious behaviour,” Okino added.

CCAC reaffirmed its original demand for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the office of the Attorney General to probe Kyari’s tenure.

It insisted that public resources must be accounted for, especially in a sector as strategic as petroleum.

“If indeed Kyari has nothing to hide, he should welcome an open probe. The attempt to gag public inquiry only raises further questions about the scale of financial misconduct under his leadership,” the group said.

“We remain committed to the truth. Nigerians deserve answers, not press conferences staged by individuals who have been bought to rewrite history.

“We owe this country more than silence. Matazu’s actions will not derail us. If anything, they have strengthened our resolve. This fight is no longer just about Kyari; it is about defending the soul of anti-corruption advocacy in Nigeria.

“We urge Nigerians to disregard Matazu’s retraction. It was not made in good faith. It was the product of desperation by people who fear the truth.”

The coalition concluded by calling on other civil society groups, labour unions, and watchdogs to be vigilant against infiltration and bribery, warning that “the enemies of transparency will stop at nothing to protect their own”.