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South-East Lawmakers To Confer with Governors, Constituents Prior to Final Decision on Tax Reform Bills

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Senators from Nigeria’s South-East region have decided to engage in further consultations with their state governments, constituents, and other relevant stakeholders before taking a final stance on the contentious tax reform bills currently under consideration in the National Assembly.

The decision, made under the aegis of the South-East Senators’ Forum, reflects the lawmakers’ desire to ensure that their position on the reform bills aligns with the collective interests and concerns of the people they represent. According to Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, the leader of the caucus, the senators are committed to ensuring that the views of their constituents are considered before any final decisions are made.

Abaribe shared these details during a press briefing on Monday following a closed-door meeting of the South-East Senators at the National Assembly in Abuja. The bills in question—comprising the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill—were submitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu on October 3, 2024. These pieces of legislation are part of a broader effort to overhaul Nigeria’s tax system, with the goal of enhancing revenue generation and addressing inefficiencies in the country’s tax administration.

However, the proposed reforms have generated significant controversy, with opposition to the bills taking on ethnic and sectional tones. Critics argue that the reforms could disproportionately affect certain regions of the country, leading to fears of economic and social imbalances. In light of these concerns, the Senate established a committee to engage with a federal government delegation, led by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to address the criticisms and clarify the provisions of the bills. Unfortunately, the scheduled meeting of the committee last Thursday was postponed due to Fagbemi’s absence.

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Commitment to Wider Consultations

While Senator Abaribe and other South-East lawmakers expressed general support for the tax reforms, they underscored the importance of conducting wider consultations to address the specific concerns of the South-East zone. Abaribe emphasized that although the senators were not opposed to the bills, it was crucial to consult with their constituents across the 15 senatorial districts in the region, as well as with state governments and other key stakeholders.

“We are not against the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly,” Abaribe stated. “However, we believe that broader consultations are necessary to ensure that the bills, when passed, are beneficial and equitable for all Nigerians, including our people in the South-East.”

He further explained that, despite their general support, the South-East senators wanted to ensure that the tax reform framework was equitable and took into account the region’s unique challenges and circumstances. “We have read through the bills, and we are prepared to share our understanding of the reforms with stakeholders in our zone,” he said. “Our objective is to ensure that the final outcome reflects the diverse needs of the country and doesn’t inadvertently marginalize any region.”

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Abaribe’s comments underscore the senators’ commitment to making informed decisions that reflect the best interests of their constituents while ensuring that the tax reforms achieve the overarching goal of improving Nigeria’s fiscal health.

Support from Other Regions

The South-East senators’ position on the tax reforms contrasts with the stance taken by senators from the South-South region, who expressed full support for the reforms last Thursday. Senators from the South-South emphasized that, despite the criticisms, the reforms were necessary to strengthen the country’s revenue base and promote long-term economic stability. They also urged Nigerians to avoid making the debate about ethnicity or regional interests, stressing that the focus should be on the national interest.

The South-South senators also cautioned those opposing the reforms to refrain from framing their criticisms in ethnic, regional, or tribal terms. “The tax reform bills are intended to benefit all Nigerians,” they said, “and the opposition should be constructive, not driven by sectional or tribal sentiments.”

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Next Steps and Future Outlook

As the debate continues, the South-East senators are expected to consult with various stakeholders, including local government officials, business leaders, and civil society groups, to gauge their opinions on the proposed reforms. The outcome of these consultations will likely influence the senators’ final position when the bills return for further debate in the National Assembly.

In the coming days, as discussions around the bills intensify, the role of the South-East senators will be critical in shaping the final version of the reforms. Their commitment to engaging with their constituents and other stakeholders highlights the importance of ensuring that any major policy changes reflect the interests and needs of the diverse regions of Nigeria.

Ultimately, while the tax reforms hold the potential to address long-standing fiscal challenges in the country, their success will depend on how well they are tailored to accommodate the diverse interests of Nigeria’s varied regions, and whether the necessary consultations are conducted to ensure a fair and balanced outcome for all.

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PHOTOS: Jay-Jay Okocha’s Daughter, Daniella, Shares Photos From Bachelorette Party in Greece Ahead of Wedding

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Daniella, the daughter of legendary Nigerian football icon Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, has shared stunning photos from her bachelorette party held in Rhodes, Greece, as she celebrates the next chapter of her married life.

Taking to social media, Daniella gave fans a glimpse of the fun-filled getaway with her close friends, describing the experience as unforgettable.

“Hen Do dump. I had the best time with my girls,” she captioned the photos.

The picturesque celebration featured moments of laughter, relaxation, and festivities as Daniella and her friends enjoyed the scenic Greek island ahead of her wedding celebrations.

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Daniella and her husband, Leonard Okorocha, got engaged in November 2025, with the announcement attracting congratulatory messages from family, friends, and admirers.

The couple later formalised their union by holding both their traditional marriage and civil wedding earlier this year.

Her latest post from Greece has since drawn warm reactions from fans and well-wishers, many of whom congratulated the couple and wished them a happy and successful married life.
See photos below:

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Tinubu is no longer talking to Nigerians-Peter Obi

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The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s style of communicating with Nigerians, accusing him of rarely addressing citizens directly.

According to Obi, President Tinubu has largely relied on official statements and spokespersons to communicate with the public since assuming office after the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, Obi argued that Nigerians deserve to hear directly from the leader they elected rather than from his political appointees.

He maintained that the President should engage citizens personally on important national issues instead of delegating such responsibilities to aides.

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During the interview, the former Anambra State governor also stated that he is not driven by personal ambition to become Nigeria’s president.

According to Obi, his primary concern is to see Nigeria function effectively and provide good governance for its citizens.

“I’m not desperate to be Nigerian president. I’m desperate to see Nigeria work,” he said.

Obi added that he would support any individual capable of transforming the country and delivering effective leadership, regardless of personal political interests.

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He stressed that his desire for the presidency stems from a commitment to improving Nigeria rather than pursuing power for its own sake.

The NDC presidential candidate also expressed concern over what he described as Nigeria’s continued decline, saying he remains deeply saddened by the country’s current direction.

According to Obi, the nation’s challenges require committed leadership focused on addressing economic hardship, insecurity, and governance issues to put Nigeria back on the path of progress.

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Tinubu Is Tired, Should Be Allowed To Retire In Peace, Says Peter Obi

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The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to step aside ahead of the 2027 election, saying the President is “tired” and no longer has the capacity to tackle Nigeria’s mounting economic and security challenges.

Speaking during an exclusive interview on Sunday Politics with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television, Obi argued that while Tinubu may have performed well as governor of Lagos State, his current leadership had failed to address the country’s worsening crises.

“The Bola Tinubu that was governor is not the one that is president today. He’s tired. He should be allowed to retire in peace, and then go home,” Obi, a former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, said.

The former Anambra State governor said Nigeria was “headed in the wrong direction” and required a leader with the energy and commitment to reverse the country’s fortunes.

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“As it is right now, Bola Tinubu is leading us nowhere. We will turn it so he can see it. That’s why maybe I’m calling for his retirement. The man should just step aside. Yes, he doesn’t have the capacity to do the job.”

Obi’s remarks came as he painted a grim picture of the country’s economic and social conditions, lamenting what he described as rising poverty, hunger, insecurity and poor governance.

He said successive reports from international organisations showed the scale of Nigeria’s challenges but accused political actors of focusing on personalities rather than addressing issues affecting ordinary citizens.

“World Bank has just said that 79% of Nigerians are going to face poverty. In a country of 230 million people, that’s over 180 million. That should be the issue we should be discussing.”

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He added, “They should be talking about the issue of out-of-school children, talking about the issue of health, and all these monies that are missing here and there that would have been invested properly. Nobody is discussing it.”

The former presidential candidate also referenced food insecurity, saying millions of Nigerians faced hunger.

“This election in 2027 should be about issues that affect the ordinary Nigerians… The World Food Programme has just said 35 million Nigerians are going to face hunger. Nigerians are being kidnapped. Let’s talk about Nigeria.”

Responding to comments by former US President Donald Trump commending Tinubu’s efforts against insecurity, Obi acknowledged the praise but maintained that the government’s response remained inadequate.

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“Thank you to Donald Trump. Thank you to President Trump. But we need to do more, far more than what we are doing,” he said.

“I’ve heard people, and Donald Trump is now confirming it, say he has done his best. But with the crisis we are facing, his best is not enough. We need to do more.”

Obi cited recent abductions in Zamfara State as evidence that insecurity remained a major national emergency.

“On Wednesday, 40 people were abducted in Zamfara, and the entire community, everybody is packing to run away. On Thursday, 50 were abducted. So we’re in a crisis situation that requires another capacity.”

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The former governor argued that tackling insecurity required addressing its underlying economic causes, particularly widespread poverty and poor access to education.

“You can’t create mass poverty and think you can deal with insecurity,” he said. “The more you put people out of poverty, the more you reduce criminality. You need to invest in education, massive.”

Obi said he would adopt a more hands-on leadership approach if elected president, insisting he would personally oversee security responses across the country.

He said, “Whatever it takes to secure any Nigerian, I will do that.”

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“If your people are dying, you should be ready to die. You’re the president. You’re the number one person.”

‘I’m Desperate To See Nigeria Work’

On his own presidential ambition, Obi insisted he was driven not by personal ambition but by a desire to see the country succeed.

“I’m not desperate to be Nigerian president. I’m desperate to see Nigeria work.”

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He added that he would support anyone capable of delivering good governance.

“If it’s working, I’ll support whatever makes it work.”

Reflecting on Nigeria’s trajectory, Obi said he remained saddened by what he described as the country’s continued decline.

“Every year we’re headed south, where more and more people have been impoverished, more and more children are out of school. Things are going in the wrong direction.”

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He said his vision remained to build “a Nigeria that is united and peaceful” where every citizen has equal opportunity regardless of tribe or religion.

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