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Northern Union, 72 Other Arewa Groups Back Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills
The Northern Union and 72 other Arewa groups have announced their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills.
This endorsement comes on the heels of a Senate public hearing, where stakeholders gathered to discuss the proposed legislation.
According to the Northern Union, the Tax Reform Bills align with their organisation’s values of promoting economic growth, fairness, and simplicity.
The President of the group, Alhaji Adamu Muazu Garuba, said the proposed legislation will streamline tax administration, reduce compliance costs, and promote investment in key sectors.
Speaking on behalf of the groups after a public hearing in the Senate, Garuba commended the Senate Committee Chairman, Senator Sani Musa for his professional conduct throughout the hearing.
Garuba further praised Musa for displaying the highest level of accountability, neutrality and impartiality by ensuring that all Nigerians were heard.
“The benefits of the Tax Reform Bills to the North are numerous. A simplified tax system will attract investments, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth,” Garuba said.
” The reduction in compliance costs will ease the burden on taxpayers, enabling them to invest in their businesses and communities. Additionally, the increased revenue generated from the reforms will enable governments to fund critical infrastructure projects and social programs.
“The Tax Reform Bills will also promote fairness and equity in the tax system, eliminating multiple taxation and reducing the tax burden on low-income earners.
“This will promote social justice and reduce poverty in the region. Furthermore, the reforms will promote transparency and accountability in the tax system, building trust between governments and the people.”
In particular, Garuba said that the Tax Reform Bills will have a profoundly positive impact on the North.
He added: “A simplified tax system will attract investments, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth in the region. This, in turn, will lead to increased economic activity, improved living standards, and reduced poverty levels.
“As the North is a significant contributor to Nigeria’s economy, the benefits of the Tax Reform Bills will be felt across the country. The reduction in compliance costs will also ease the burden on taxpayers in the North, enabling them to invest in their businesses and communities.
“This will be particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are the backbone of the Northern economy. By reducing the tax burden on SMEs, the Tax Reform Bills will promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation in the region.
“The increased revenue generated from the reforms will also enable governments in the North to fund critical infrastructure projects and social programs.
“This will help to address the region’s developmental challenges, such as inadequate healthcare, education, and transportation infrastructure. By investing in these critical areas, the North will be better equipped to unlock its economic potential and improve the lives of its people.”
Garuba, however, has urged all northerners to support the Tax Reform Bills, emphasising that these reforms are in their best interest.
He stated: “We urge all northerners to join us in supporting the Tax Reform Bills. These reforms are in our best interest and will promote economic growth, fairness, and simplicity.
“We must work together to ensure that these reforms are passed into law and implemented effectively. We also call on our lawmakers to expedite the passage of the Tax Reform Bills.
“We urge them to put aside their differences and work together to pass these critical reforms. The fate of our region and our people depends on it. Finally, we commend President Tinubu for his leadership and vision in proposing these reforms.”
The Confederation of All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Group (CASG) and Concerned Nigerian Citizens for Justice and Sovereignty have condemned what they describe as a coordinated campaign by US federal agencies targeting President Bola Tinubu, warning that such actions threaten Nigeria’s sovereignty and democratic integrity.
Engr Muhammed Kailani, Director General of the groups in a statement
issued on Wednesday, accusing the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of orchestrating a “politically engineered witch-hunt” against Tinubu.
He described the actions as an affront to Nigeria’s democracy.
“President Tinubu was elected to lead, not to be distracted by foreign conspiracies or trial by media,” Kailani said.
“The world must respect our sovereignty and our right to choose our leaders without external intimidation.”
The groups pointed to the recent release of decades-old documents by US agencies as evidence of a deliberate attempt to tarnish Tinubu’s reputation and undermine the will of Nigerians, who elected him in the 2023 presidential election.
The vote, widely regarded as free and fair, saw Tinubu emerge as the country’s leader despite longstanding allegations that have never been substantiated in court.
“This sudden rush to dredge up old documents is nothing short of a politically motivated attack,” Kailani added.
“Nigeria is a sovereign nation, not a satellite state to be dictated to by foreign intelligence bodies acting on behalf of interest groups.”
He called on the FBI and associated agencies to “immediately halt this charade,” warning that continued actions could be interpreted as foreign interference in Nigeria’s domestic politics.
The groups also raised concerns about the timing of the allegations, suggesting they were fuelled by “politically biased actors” seeking to destabilise the country.
Tahe National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has directed the immediate implementation of a one-stop joint-interest screening system of passengers across Nigerian airports.
The directive is part of efforts to eliminate operational clumsiness, curb touting, and streamline security innovations in the aviation sector.
Also, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has disclosed that many airports and airspace facilities have yet to benefit from modern security technologies.
These were disclosed at an aviation security symposium themed: ‘The Fundamentality of Security in Achieving the Safe Skies Goals,’ organised by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The NSA noted that aviation security must evolve to meet emerging threats and emphasised a coordinated national approach.
The NSA, who was represented by a member of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Air Commodore Ahmad Madawaki, further stated that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is developing a security track assessment framework to monitor and evaluate all airports and airspace operations in Nigeria.
“The Nigerian government, especially the Office of the National Security Adviser, is concerned about the security of our airspace and airports. The mandate of the Office is to coordinate the operations of relevant security agencies to ensure that the operations of the aviation sector are protected from acts of unlawful interference.
“Security agencies are also required to collaborate and cooperate with all operators to ensure their duties are carried out most efficiently and professionally. As part of the efforts of the Office of the National Security Adviser, the NSA has directed the implementation of the one-stop joint-interest screening system to avoid clumsiness and touting innovation operations at our airports.”
“The National Security Adviser’s office is also developing a security track assessment framework to monitor and evaluate all airports and airspace operations in Nigeria. This initiative involves a multi-stakeholder setup, drawing expertise from various sectors to assess risks and bolster nationwide aviation safety.
“The framework will guide assessments and help ensure that operators across the industry are security-conscious. Stakeholders must share timely information to safeguard both our airports and the airspace,” the NSA stressed.
He reiterated that aviation security is a shared responsibility, urging all players in the aviation ecosystem to align with global standards of vigilance, safety, and operational excellence.
“The beauty of ensuring safer skies lies in our collective action. The challenges of insecurity are no longer isolated to any region. We must treat our airspace as a critical national asset and protect it accordingly,” he said.
He also called for sustained collaboration among security agencies and aviation stakeholders, underlining that the ONSA’s mandate is to coordinate all security operations seamlessly and professionally.
“This symposium is a timely reminder that aviation security must be treated with the seriousness it deserves. It’s not just about protecting air routes but also our national integrity,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, NAMA said obsolete screening systems, inadequate perimeter fencing, poor surveillance coverage and limited access control systems expose key installations to avoidable threats.
He added that the integration of physical and cyber-security systems remains suboptimal, limiting the ability to detect, deter, and respond to security breaches in real time.
The managing director of NAMA, Farouk Umar Ahmed, said there is a lack of synergy among security agencies. Despite the shared responsibility for securing aviation infrastructure, coordination among security agencies remains weak.
Ahmed said the absence of structured inter-agency communication channels, overlapping mandates, and fragmented incident response mechanisms continue to compromise the effectiveness of security operations at airports.
“This lack of synergy delays critical decision-making and hinders unified responses to security threats,” he added.
Ahmed, who was represented by Rita Egbadon, director of Legal Services, said the critical role of aviation security personnel is undermined by insufficient training, poor remuneration, and limited opportunities for career development.
“Several frontline officers are not conversant with evolving international security standards, while low morale continues to affect performance, vigilance, and professionalism.
“A growing concern is the deployment of inadequately qualified individuals into sensitive aviation security positions. These appointments often bypass necessary screening, certification, and background verification processes required by ICAO Annex 17 and national civil aviation regulations. The result is a vulnerability in the leadership and execution of security protocols at airports and related facilities,” he explained.
He suggested that there is a need to put in place a joint aviation security task force and create a National Aviation Security Coordination Framework, anchored by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and regularly inspected or audited by NCAA, to drive seamless collaboration among all security stakeholders.
This task force, he suggested, should convene regularly to share intelligence, develop joint action plans, conduct simulations, and issue coordinated advisories.
He also spoke on the need to prioritise investment in security infrastructure and federal and state authorities, in partnership with the private sector, must invest in modern aviation security equipment.
These, he said, include biometric access systems, smart surveillance solutions, integrated command centres, and advanced threat detection tools.
“Funding mechanisms should be developed to ensure sustained upgrades and maintenance. Adopt a Comprehensive Capacity-Building and Incentive Program. The security personnel should undergo recurrent training accredited by ICAO and relevant bodies.
“Training must cover not only physical security but also cyber security, behavioural detection, and emergency response Additionally, structured motivation frameworks- including health benefits, hazard allowances, and career progression plans-should be introduced to retain top talent,” Ahmed explained.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reactivated the issuance of Tinted Glass Permits (TGP) nationwide through a “secure and user-friendly” platform available at possap.gov.ng.
Muyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson of the police, detailed in a statement that the move comes in response to widespread public complaints about the harassment of motorists over the use of tinted windows.
He said the initiative reflects the need for a clear, transparent, and accountable process for regularising factory-fitted tinted glass on vehicles.
“With modern automobiles increasingly manufactured with tinted windows it has become essential to provide a standardised system that accommodates legitimate use while ensuring public safety,” the statement reads.
“Vehicles have often been exploited for criminal purposes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, ‘one-chance’ scams, and other forms of banditry. Their use hampers police visibility and impedes effective law enforcement, thereby contributing to public insecurity.”
Adejobi said the reactivation of the permit system is a strategic move to identify lawful users, such as individuals with medical requirements or members of the security community, while preventing misuse for criminal activities.
He said it is expected to enhance police investigative capabilities and strengthen national security efforts.
The police spokesperson said applicants can now process their permits online, with identity verification integrated through the National Identification Number (NIN) and Tax Identification Number (TIN), alongside biometric capture and background checks.
He said the system also features QR-coded digital permits, with a streamlined processing timeline of 72 hours.
The spokesperson announced that a 30-day grace period has been approved, starting from May 1, during which motorists are expected to comply with the new regulations.
Adejobi said that enforcement will commence at the end of this period, adding that officers found engaging in unprofessional conduct such as extortion or harassment in the course of enforcement, will be decisively dealt with in accordance with extant disciplinary procedures.
In June 2021, Usman Baba, former inspector-general of police (IGP), ordered the suspension of the issuance of permits for tinted glasses and SPY number plates.
Last year, the police said it would reintroduce issuance of tinted glass permits for vehicles in the country.