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Tax Reform Bills: National Assembly will not betray the trust of Nigerians – Akpabio
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has said the National Assembly will prioritise the interest of all Nigerians in considering the Tax Reform Bills.
Akpabio made the pledge on Wednesday in Abuja at a roundtable on the four tax reform bills organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
He said that the bill before the National Assembly represented a critical step forward in modernising Nigeria’s tax system.
He explained that the bills, when passed into law, would ensure a more equitable distribution of the tax burden among all Nigerians.
According to him, these bills aim to enhance efficiency, improve revenue generation, and ultimately, build a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria for all.
Akpabio acknowledged that the introduction of the bills had been met with some misunderstanding and politicisation by certain segments of the society.
The senator said that the misunderstandings should not be seen as a setback, but rather as a testament to the growing democratic maturity of the country.
“As your representatives, we want to assure our compatriots that the members of the National Assembly have heard your voices.
“We stand here, not as adversaries, but as partners in the quest to build the Nigeria of our dreams.
“We know that we have the unwavering trust of the Nigerian people, and we will never, ever, betray that sacred trust in the performance of our duties.
“Let us use this moment to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to a National Assembly that is pro-people, pro-democracy, and pro-progress.
“As the great Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” My friends, together, we can make the impossible, possible with this tax reforms,” he said.
He commended the organisers for the initiative saying that NILDS had consistently demonstrated its commitment to fostering constructive dialogue and serving as a bridge between the legislature and the Nigerian people.
Earlier, the Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, said that the importance of an efficient tax system to national development was a public knowledge.
He said that one of the challenges Nigeria faced as an emerging economy was the presence of several policy and institutional weaknesses that created loopholes in the tax system.
According to him, this singular challenge remains one of the pitfalls of effective public financial management in Nigeria.
The director-general said that there was an urgent need for tax reforms in the country saying that it was long overdue.
Sulaiman explained that contrary to the fears expressed by many, the tax reforms were designed to reduce the burden of taxation of all people by the government.
The DG said that it would also make the tax system more progressive and less regressive while simplifying the tax system by making it more accountable and understandable.
He said that the controversies surrounding the bills underscored the need for a fair and balanced tax system that mirrors the specificities of the Nigerian society.
“Therefore, as Nigerians continue to debate the merits and demerits of the tax reform bills, it is imperative to create the platform for engagements by all stakeholders towards passing a law that lays a strong fiscal and revenue foundation for sustainable growth and development in Nigeria.
“It is expected that the discussions today shall cover the main reforms contained in the tax reform bills, explore the extant legal and institutional challenges inherent in the current tax system and the interventions of the tax reform bills within prevalent social, political, and economic context.
“The core objective of today’s engagement therefore, is to explore perspectives on the potential short and long-term benefits and risks of reforms contained in the new tax reform bills.
“I hope that deliberations at this roundtable form the crucible for policy recommendations that will be taken into cognisance during the passage of the bill into law,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, provided answers to the many misconceptions on the bills.
Oyedele said that the tax bills carried reforms that were important for the growth and development of the country which Nigeria could not afford to lose.
He said that one of the most debated section of the bills was on the VAT sharing formula which the existing formula was being challenged in court by two states of the federation.
Oyedele said that the bills sought to correct it as it would be chaotic if states were allowed to collect VAT because it would not augur well with businesses in the country.
The chairman said that the bill did not have any clause to merge existing agencies saying that the bills sought to enhance collaboration.
He also a said that contrary to opinion held by some group, the bills did not have any clause to task the poor.
The chairman said that the bill, when passed into law, would exempt low income earners from paying Personal Income Tax as well as small businesses.
He said that on the long run, all Nigerians would be better for it as they would be beneficiaries of the reforms. (NAN)
The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.
“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.
The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.
“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”
The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.
“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.
The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.
“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.
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Two brothers Launch Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, Sponsor WAEC Registration For 50 vulnerable Students
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
In a significant effort to promote education, two brothers have launched the Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, sponsoring the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration for 50 vulnerable students in Kamaru Ikulu Ward, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Yusuf Ismail Ashafa, popularly known as Sardaunan Ikulu, urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their studies and strive for academic excellence. He assured them that the foundation would continue to support outstanding students by facilitating their admission into higher institutions.
Ashafa also called on parents to play an active role in motivating their children to focus on education, emphasizing that their success would contribute to a brighter future for the community.
Meanwhile, Ashafa, who played a crucial role in the emergence of Engr. Bege Gaiya Joseph as the Executive Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, expressed deep appreciation for Joseph and his brother, Reuben Richman Bissla, for sponsoring the students’ WAEC registration in his honor.
He pledged to build on these efforts, ensuring continued support for students’ education as a means of fostering societal development.
In his remarks, the co-sponsor, Engr. Joseph Bege Gaiya, popularly known as Lordbeckson, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at improving the education of the most vulnerable students for the betterment of society.
“I am one of the beneficiaries of the goodwill of Sardaunan Ikulu. If he had wanted to become the Council Chairman, he would have been, but he decided to push me forward, and today I am the Council Chairman through his mentorship,” he stated.
He urged the beneficiaries to consider themselves fortunate and to take full advantage of the opportunity by studying hard to achieve excellent results.
“With the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, we must ensure that our students pursue science courses. We cannot afford to have a Federal University in our region and yet have our children unable to gain admission to study science-related fields,” he added.
The initiative has been widely commended as a timely intervention, helping underprivileged students overcome financial barriers to education.
Amid the recall process initiated against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly has told both the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the police that Nigerians are keenly watching their actions.
This came amid viral video of some politicians in the Kogi State mass-signing signatures purported to be that of the Senator’s constituents.
It was gathered that the Senator has already petitioned the police over the development.
However, addressing journalists on Tuesday, the National President of Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly, Shuaibu Usman, accused the INEC of always compromising the electoral process in Kogi State.
Usman, who recalled how results of the last governorship election in the state emerged even before the exercise commenced, urged the commission to redeem itself.
He said, “Kogi parades as a worst example when it comes to INEC conduct of election in Nigeria. We have not forgotten how many credible organisations, including Yiaga Africa, raised the alarm of the electoral heist that went on during the last guber election in that state.
“So, INEC has been notorious for providing a thriving ground for politicians in Kogi State to mess up the country’s electoral system.
“The same people are at it again, this time hiding under the guise of a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. With their Kogi magic, they quickly manufactured over 250,000 signatures, whereas the entire voters during the main election stood at 120,000.
“One need not be a suitsayer to know that these are the same elements who are known to be chronic election riggers, with INEC as their enablers.
“However, we must caution the INEC that this should not be business as usual; this is beyond Kogi State, so Nigerians are watching.
“We were taken aback when the INEC after announcing that the petition did not meet its requirements, returned a day after to tell Nigerians that the same petitioners have met the requirements- what a quick fix!
“The INEC must not kowtow to the whims and caprices of desperate political elements in Kogi State, as this will be resisted by Nigerians.”
Similarly, the apex Igbo group also urged the police to ensure that all those in forging the signatures of Senator Natasha’s constituents were brought to book.
According to the group, the viral videos showed known faces in Kogi State, wondering why the police were yet to effect any arrest.
“By now, we had expected that some of the perpetrators should be cooling their heels in custody or having their days in court, but it is yet to happen.
“There should be no room for compromise, the culprits, no matter how highly placed, should be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
“We urge that the police should engage forensic experts to analyze those signatures before the INEC takes any further step in the said petition,” Usman further stated.