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Governors Forum, State Assemblies Support LG Financial, Administrative Autonomy

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…as Speaker Abbas say poor conduct of council elections must be improved
By Gloria Ikibah
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has thrown its weight behind the administrative and financial autonomy of local government councils in Nigeria.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, stated this at the National Dialogue on Local Government and Constitution Amendment Constitution Amendment organised by the House Committee on the Review of the Constitution in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), on Monday in Abuja.
According to Governor A dulrazaq, majority of the states have duly elected local government councils in place, and this reflects a strengthened commitment to democracy at grassroots level.
Represented by the Director, Legal Services of the Forum, Chijioke Chukwu, he said the NGF recognizes the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy as a landmark development with profound implications for governance.
The Governor said the LG autonomy presents an opportunity to deepen service delivery across critical sectors, particularly health, care, education, and other social services.
He further noted that by empowering local governments to manage resources effectively, we can collectively ensure that development to choose every Nigerian, no matter how remote their community may be.
He said: “The Governor’s Forum remains resolute in its commitment to the effective implementation of local government autonomy. The Governors are keen to collaborate with stakeholders, including development partners, civil society, and other arms of government to translate this autonomy into tangible improvements in the lives of our people.
“It is our belief that a well-structured autonomy with mutually aligned implementation framework would not only drive accountability and efficiency in resource management, but would also catalyze sustainable development goals at the sub-national level. Together, we can transform the local government system into a vibrant vehicle for economic growth, social development, and national integration.
“The Nigerian Governors Forum also reiterates its readiness  to ensure that this transition to local government autonomy is impactful. Let us continue to work together in building a stronger, more inclusive Nigeria”.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas in his remarks, described the conduct of local government elections in the country as disgraceful, and said it must be addressed.
He said, “Importantly, we must confront the disgraceful poor conduct of elections into the councils. We must find a way of instilling transparency, fairness and openness in the conduct of elections into local governments.doing this would require the understanding and collaborative efforts of the State governors and Houses of Assembly.
“We must find a way of convincing them that a strengthened local government system would relieve the States of unnecessary burdens and lead to grassroots development”.
Speaker Abbas, who represented by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, said the national dialogue was one in a series of consultations to harness citizens’ views and preferences towards efforts at having a truly peoples’ constitution in the country.
According to him, it serves as a vital opportunity for substantive discussions that will inform the Constitution Review Committee in making appropriate recommendations for amending the necessary provisions of the Constitution.
Abbas emphasised that this was essential to ensure compliance with the existing ruling of the Supreme Court regarding the status of local government councils.
He said it focuses on a critical aspect of our governance structure: the local government system.
“Local governments, the closest tier of government to the people, play an essential role in delivering services, fostering community development, and ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard at all levels of governance.
“However, for local governments to fulfil these roles effectively, they must operate with a degree of autonomy that allows them to respond promptly and appropriately to the unique needs of their communities”, he stated.
The Speaker further noted that there are significant challenges that hinder the effectiveness of local government councils, and they include inadequate funding, lack of autonomy, insufficient capacity, usurpation of its functions by other levels of government, corruption.
These and many more, he said, have plagued local governments for decades, not only stifle local governance but also impede national development.
He said the “need for reform has never been more urgent”.
The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, said the dialogue was not only to discuss a critical aspect of governance but also to reaffirm thr collective commitment to advancing democratic principles and sustainable development at the grassroots level.
Kalu, who is the Chairman of the Committee on the Review of the Constitution, also reiterated that as the closest tier of government to our citizens, local governments are pivotal in ensuring the delivery of essential services,ensuring inclusion, and enhancing democratic participation.
Represented by the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, he regretted that the current state of local government councils and areas in Nigeria leaves much to be desired.
He said issues of limited autonomy, constrained financial independence, and weakened administrative capacity have continued to hinder their effectiveness.
Kalu said, “The recent Supreme Court judgment reaffirming that local government councils and areas must be democratically elected and that their statutory allocations be paid directly to them marks a watershed moment in our nation’s governance journey.
“This ruling underscores the importance of ensuring that governance at all levels adheres to democratic principles and serves the people’s best interests. Yet, to fully realize the intent and impact of this landmark decision, we must confront the systemic issues that have long plagued local government administration.”
Executive Director of PLAC, Mr Clement Nwankwo, said the national dialogue on local government reforms is very key to improving the quality of our democracy.
“Local governments are so very key to any country’s democracy because it’s government at the grassroots. Unfortunately, the local governments in Nigeria continue to suffer from the lack of development of its institutions and its ability to deliver on its expectations of development.
“The House of Representatives Committee on the Constitutional Review taking on this issue as a major issue and as one of its flagship considerations as it proceeds and embarks on the Constitutional Review is so very important,” he said.
He hoped the conversation will translate into passage of landmark amendments l to the constitution that will impact on improving the quality of democracy.
Chairman of the Conference of Speakers and State Legislatures, Adebo Ogundoyin, said the issue of the independence and autonomy of local governments is at the heart of grassroots governance and development in Nigeria.
Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly was represented by the Speaker of the Jigawa House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu.
“Local governments will be pivotal to delivering essential services.fostering community participation and ensuring inclusive development. However, achieving this require robust financial and administrative independence, as well as transparent, credible, and legitimate elections.
“The state legislatures play an indispensable role in the realization of these goals as constitutionally empowered bodies.We are the gatekeepers of democracy and the sub-national levels. It is our duty to enact laws that empower local governments, ensure accountability, and provide oversight that guarantees the proper utilization of resources for the benefit of our citizens,” he said.
Director of Development, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Cynthia Rowe, said local governments brings governance closer to the people and has real impact on the lives of the people.
She stressed the need for a proper local government system for the benefit of citizens.
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Tax Reforms: Those criticising it lack knowledge -Akpabio

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The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has flayed critics of President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms as lacking an understanding of what the initiatives were truly about.

Akpabio disclosed this during his remarks at the presentation of the 2025 budget estimate by President Tinubu to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.

He said, “Your Excellency, we commend you on your groundbreaking tax reform initiative. The four tax reform bills—the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024; and Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024—represent a monumental shift in our fiscal landscape.

It is disheartening that those who have not taken the time to understand these bills are the loudest critics. I urge all Nigerians, especially those in public office, to engage with these vital reforms thoughtfully. This initiative marks the first comprehensive tax reform since Nigeria’s independence, presenting a transformative opportunity for rejuvenating small and medium enterprises and enhancing the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.

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“These reforms will not only improve Nigeria’s revenue profile but also create a more conducive and internationally competitive business environment, transforming our tax system to support sustainable development.”

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Tinubu presents N47.9trn 2025 Resurrection Budget

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Defence and insecurity , infrastructure, health and education were some of the sectors with high allocations in the N47.9tn Budget Proposal presented by President Bola Tinubu before a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon.

“It is with great pleasure that I lay before this distinguished joint session of the National Assembly, the 2025 Budget of the National Assembly of Nigeria titled, ‘The Resurrection Budget’ security peace, building prosperity,” Tinubu said as he concluded his 30-minute speech at 1:10pm on Wednesday.

Earlier in his presentation, the President listed some of the highlights of the budget as defence and security – N4.91tn, infrastructure – N4.06tn, health – N2.4tn, education – N3.5tn, among others.

He expressed commitment to economic renewal, thanking all Nigerians for embarking on the journey of reform and transformation in the last 18 months together.

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The President said the economy is responding to stimulus and that his government would continue to take the right steps for economic progress. “The reforms yielding results, no reversals,” he said.

Tinubu stressed that food security is non-negotiable, adding that the government is taking steps to ensure Nigerians feed and not go to bed hungry.

Tinubu said, “Our 2025 is not just another statement of projected government revenue and expenditure; it is one that calls for action.

It is disheartening that those who have not taken the time to understand these bills are the loudest critics. I urge all Nigerians, especially those in public office, to engage with these vital reforms thoughtfully. This initiative marks the first comprehensive tax reform since Nigeria’s independence, presenting a transformative opportunity for rejuvenating small and medium enterprises and enhancing the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.

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“These reforms will not only improve Nigeria’s revenue profile but also create a more conducive and internationally competitive business environment, transforming our tax system to support sustainable development.”

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BREAKING: President Tinubu Presents N47.9trn Appropriation Bill To NASS

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…improvement witnessed in 2024 led us to 2025 budget – Tinubu
…say “Time for lamentation is over”
By Gloria Ikibah
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a Joint Session of the Senate and House of Representatives on Wednesday, 18 December 2024, presented the sum of N47.9 trillion as the proposed 2025 Appropriation Bill, with new borrowings of N13.0 trillion, which is 3.87 per cent of the estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The President, in his address to the National Assembly described the 2025 Budget as the “Budget of Restoration” which he said, reinforces the administration’s roadmap to secure peace, prosperity, and hope for a greater future for Nigeria.
“This budget christened, “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” strikes at the very core of our Renewed Hope Agenda and demonstrates our commitment to stabilizing the economy, improving lives, and repositioning our country for greater performance.”
The budget of restoration according to president Tinubu, serves as the very hope of the Renewed Hope Agenda and improving the lives of Nigerians.
He said the 2025 budget is one of the reform and transformation to consolidate the key policies of the Tinubu-led administration. Reeling out the progress made he said global economic growth for Nigeria increased from the 2.6% estimated to 3.5% growth.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), and its fiscal parameters, adopted an “an oil price benchmark of $75 per barrel for 2025, oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day, an exchange rate of N1400 to $1, and a GDP growth of 4.6 per cent.”
President Tinubu said the 2025 budge seeks to restore micro economic stability, foster increased growth, employment, human capital development.
He said: “The journey of economic renewal and institutional development, which we began 18 months ago as a nation, is very much underway. It is not a journey of our choosing but one we had to embark on for Nigeria to have a real chance at greatness. I thank every Nigerian for embarking on this journey of REFORMS and TRANSFORMATION with us.
“The road of reforms is now clearly upon us, and as the President of this blessed nation, I know this less-travelled road has not been easy. That there have been difficulties and sacrifices. They will not be in vain. And we must keep faith with the process to arrive at our collectively desired destination.
“We must build on the progress we have made in the past eighteen months in restructuring our economy and ensuring it is strong enough to withstand the headwinds of any future shocks of the global downturn.
“The 2025 budget that I present today is one of restoration. It seeks to consolidate the key policies we have instituted to restructure our economy, boost human capital development, increase the volume of trade and investments, bolster oil and gas production, get our manufacturing sector humming again and ultimately increase the competitiveness of our economy.
“We do not intend to depart from this critical path to strengthen the Nigerian economy. Just as I believe in the resilience of our economy to withstand the current challenges, I also strongly believe in the resilience of the Nigerian people. Again, I summon the unstoppable Nigerian spirit to lead us on as we work to rebuild the fabric of our economy and existence.
“The improvements we witnessed in the 2024 budget have led us into the 2025 budget. The goals of advancing national security, creating economic opportunities, investing in our youthful population, infrastructure development, and national re-orientation form the core of the 2025 budget. But more than that, this will lay a solid foundation for Nigeria’s future growth trajectory”.
The President said the reforms instituted are beginning to yield results and Nigerians will soon experience a better and more functional economy.
According to him, these clear results of gradual recovery, among others, reflect the resilience of our economy and the impact of deliberate policy choices we made from the outset.
“Global economic growth for the outgoing year 2024 was projected at 3.2 percent, and against predictions, our country made significant progress.
“Our economy grew by 3.46 percent in the third quarter of 2024, up from 2.54 percent in the third quarter of 2023.
“Our Foreign Reserves now stand at nearly 42 billion US dollars, providing a robust buffer against external shocks.
“Our rising exports are reflected in the current trade surplus, which now stands at 5.8 trillion naira, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Tinubu informed that his administration attained remarkable milestones in implementing the 2024 Budget.
“In 2024, we achieved: 14.55 trillion naira in revenue, meeting 75 percent of our target as of the third quarter; 21.60 trillion naira in expenditure, representing 85 percent of our target, also in the third quarter.
“While challenges persist, we improved revenue collection and fulfilled key obligations. The transformational effects of this on our economy are gradually being felt”, the President added.
Hw explained that the budgetary allocations reflect the administration’s strategic priorities, especially in the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda and its developmental objectives.
The 2025 Budget President said seeks to restore macroeconomic stability, enhance the business environment, foster inclusive growth, employment, and poverty reduction and promote equitable income distribution and human capital development.
“The numbers for our 2025 budget proposal tell a bold and exciting story of the direction we are taking to retool and revamp the socio-economic fabric of our society.
“In 2025, we are targeting 34.82 trillion naira in revenue to fund the budget.
“Government expenditure in the same year is projected to be 47.90 trillion naira, including 15.81 trillion naira for debt servicing.
“A total of 13.08 trillion naira, or 3.89 percent of GDP, will make up the budget deficit. This is an ambitious but necessary budget to secure our future.
“The Budget projects inflation will decline from the current rate of 34.6 percent to 15 percent next year, while the exchange rate will improve from approximately 1,700 naira per US dollar to 1,500 naira, and a base crude oil production assumption of 2.06 million barrels per day (mbpd).
These projections the President said are based on reduced importation of petroleum products alongside increased export of finished petroleum products; bumper harvests, driven by enhanced security, reducing reliance on food imports; ncreased foreign exchange inflows through Foreign Portfolio Investments; and higher crude oil output and exports, coupled with a substantial reduction in upstream oil and gas production costs.
Tinubu said the budgetary allocations are informed by the commitment of his administration to security of lives and property, infrastructural development, education and healthcare delivery.
“Our budgetary allocations underscore this administration’s strategic priorities, particularly in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda and achieving its developmental objectives.
“Highlights of the 2025 Budget Allocations:
• Defence and Security: N4.91 trillion
• Infrastructure: N4.06 trillion
• Health: N2.48 trillion
• Education: N3.52 trillion
He solicited the support of the lawmakers and Nigerians in addressing the country’s challenges
He stated: “The time for lamentation is over. This is a time to act. A time to support and promote greater investment in the private sector. A time for our civil servants to faithfully execute our policies and programmes. It is a time for every Nigerian to look hopefully towards a brighter future because a new day has dawned for us as a nation.
“As your President, I remain committed and resolute to continue to lead the charge.
“This 2025 budget proposal lays the foundation for peace, prosperity, and much needed hope. It is the plan through which a Nigeria where every citizen can dream, work, and thrive in safety can be achieved”.
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