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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.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
Less than 24 hours after former Kaduna Central Senatorial District lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, openly declared support for Governor Uba Sani’s re-election bid, former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Sources reveal that the recent return of prominent politicians such as Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, Senator Danjuma Laah, former Governor Ramalan Yero, and others to the APC has unsettled El-Rufai.
Senator Shehu Sani, in his declaration, stated that his main political objective for 2027 is to ensure Governor Uba Sani’s re-election.
Unwilling to face the emerging political dynamics, El-Rufai announced his resignation from APC in a Facebook post, stating:
“Today, 10th March 2025, I have submitted my resignation letter to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately. Before this decision, I consulted extensively with my mentors, colleagues, and loyalists across the country about the future. I have now decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as the platform for our future political engagements.
“As a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us. Together, we can unify under a strong democratic platform to challenge the APC in upcoming elections and by-elections before 2027, by the grace of God.
“I, therefore, call on all our supporters and those concerned about Nigeria’s future to join us in SDP as we work towards making Nigeria a beacon of hope for Africa and the Black race.”
In reaction to El-Rufai’s defection, Shehu Sani dismissed the move, saying it would have little impact.
“Leaving APC for SDP makes no difference for someone with no political relevance anymore. But one thing is certain—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani will be re-elected
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Former governor of Sokoto State and now Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal while flagging off distribution of ramadan fast assistance to the people of the state, Monday reassured that, his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will Reclaim their mandate come 2027.
Tambuwal, who divulged that the Ramadan gesture is targeted at 30,000 households in the state, added, “‘it is aside the thousands of other foodstuff and multiple assistance given by all lawmakers elected under the platform of the PDP in the state”.
According to him, the PDP lawmakers both at he state and federal levels are equally flagging off the distribution of thousands of bags of rice and other grains to all youth and women led organizations to help compliment their ease of fasting.
“”As you aware, many people have lost their lives and they are no more with us. It is by His grace that we are alive and here observing another Ramadan and witnessing the distribution of foodstuff to our people once again.
“We continue to pray to Allahi to grant us continued good health and longevity, for us to witness many more of this blessed month.l of Ramadan. I also would like to take disadvantage of this opportunity to thank our chairman and the leaders of our party in the state for their continued hard work in organizing the party, in mobilizing the people and making sure that our party remain strong and united in Sokoto
“”We are one big united family. And we shall continue to work together towards reclaiming what has been taken away from us. As you know, in the last elections, our mandate was forcefully stolen. But now, we are restrategizing and organizing.
“”And by the grace of Allah, what has been taken away, will be given back to us by come 2027″”. Tambuwal assured.
Speaking earlier, Sokoto state PDP chairman, Comrade Bello Goronyo expressed heartfelt appreciation to all members of the PDP in Sokoto for keeping hope alive and faith with the party, saying the PDP is the only party that truly meant well for the generality of Nigerians.
This according to him could be proven by the current hardship been experienced by Nigerians which where hitherto not the case when the PDP held sway.
Comrade Goronyo therefore appealed to the people of the state and Nigerians to liberate themselves from the grip of APC’s mis- governance come 2027.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said on Monday that the United States was cancelling 83 per cent of programmes at the US Agency for International Development.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January demanding a freeze on all US foreign aid to give his administration time to assess overseas spending, with an eye to gutting programs not aligned with his “America First” agenda.
“After a six-week review we are officially cancelling 83% of the programmes at USAID,” Rubio said on social media platform X.
“The 5,200 contracts that are now cancelled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States,” he added.
USAID distributes US humanitarian aid around the world, with health and emergency programs in around 120 countries.
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The State Department, which oversees USAID, announced on February 26 its intention to cut 92 per cent of the agency’s program funding, identifying 5,800 grants to be eliminated.
Rubio on Monday notably thanked the Department of Government Efficiency, which billionaire Elon Musk is leading in a drive to slash costs and cut jobs across government departments.
Trump and his allies have argued that foreign assistance is wasteful and does not serve US interests.
But aid groups argue much of the assistance supports US interests by promoting stability and health overseas, and warn that cutting aid threatens the lives of vulnerable people.
AFP