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Agitations over tax reform bills misplaced, says Utomi

Political economist and founder of the Centre of Values in Leadership, Prof. Pat Utomi, has described agitations over the tax reform bills as misplaced, arguing that the focus should be on how taxes stimulate production.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Utomi observed that the conversation on the tax reform bills had been on equity in collecting and sharing revenues in an economy that was not producing.
Drawing from history, he said reforms that allowed the increased flow of revenues to certain Nigerian groups rarely improved the lives or welfare of the average person. Still, he deepened corruption and desperation for political power.
Rather than “tax to kill to get money from Nigerians,” Utomi advocated for the specific use of taxation and tax reform, which would be supply-side economics-driven, thereby boosting production.
He explained that specific use taxation where tax on specific purchases was known to be directed to particular purposes, adding that those who made such contributions had to monitor the use of tax.
“Specific use tax is where the tax goes to a specific use and the users must monitor the use of that tax. For example, in the US, there is a gasoline tax, that is tax paid on petrol. Every litre of petrol you buy has a tax. That tax is dedicated to highway maintenance. It goes directly to a highway maintenance fund.
“I think we need to begin to ask ourselves what are the optimal points in taxation in our country, and careful about the other functions of social taxes, which we have, because we don’t have social safety nets in government.
“Our taxes should be incentives for moving away from consumption to production that will diversify the base and grow it. I think we should begin to focus more on retreating production. How do taxes stimulate production? The supply side needs to be king,” Utomi added.
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Protests erupt in Plateau over incessant k!llings

Protests erupted in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Monday morning over the continued killings of indigenous residents by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militants.
The demonstrations, led by Christian leaders including the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Polycarp Lubo, commenced on Monday morning at the Fawvwei Junction community road, causing a heavy gridlock and stranding commuters.
The latest protest comes amid a surge in violent attacks by gunmen in various communities, with over 100 people killed in Bokkos and Bassa LGAS in the past two weeks.
“We are not happy over the continuous attacks and killings by gunmen in our communities. That’s why we have come out again to protest these happenings,” said Gyang Dalyop, one of the protesters.
Another protester, Hannatu Philip, called on the government to intervene before it spirals out of control.
The protesters brandishing placards with different inscriptions were seen marching towards the Rayfield Government House.
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Tinubu not your equal – Presidency replies Peter Obi’s ex-running mate, Datti

The Presidency has said the former Labour Party, LP, presidential running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed is no match for President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare was reacting to Datti’s remark that he (Tinubu) would not run for the presidency in 2027.
The former LP running mate insisted that Tinubu’s time is up, adding that everything is there for the president and the ruling All Progressives Party, APC, to see that they lose in 2027.
Dismissing such remark, Dare likened Datti’s comment to the new year predictions of charlatan ‘prophets’ which never come through.
In a statement he signed, Dare said the likes of Peter Obi and Datti would have been president left for the latter’s theories.
According to Dare, Datti has chosen to venture into an unfamiliar terrain.
The statement reads partly: “Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed’s “illogical logic” was all over the place in his recent interview with a television channel.
“Listening to Yusuf Datti Baba- Ahmed spurn his postulations about the political future of Nigeria and that of the incumbent President is like listening to the new year predictions of charlatan ‘prophets’ which never come through. Yusuf Baba Ahmed and his co-traveller Peter Obi are indeed a “double whammy“ in the Nigerian political space.
“He chose to base his political calculations on President Bola Tinubu not winning a second term given his antecedents and because Nigerians will decide at the polls among other things. He conveniently avoided the substance of performance and capacity.
“Unfortunately, he chose to walk into a lane he was unfamiliar with and chose to confront a politician he is no match for.”
Similarly, the Presidency had also stressed that Tinubu will reveal his plans for a second term at the right time.
It said the APC 2027 presidential campaign billboards had no links to Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
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‘Conducting unfair election in 2027 will lead to Nigeria’s demise’ – Top Northern Politician Sends Warning To Tinubu

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former aide to Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that any attempt by the government in power to manipulate the 2027 general elections will be resisted.
He also said that should the polls or its results be tampered with, this would create dire consequences for the country.
Baba-Ahmed said this in a viral video seen by 9NEWS NIGERIA.
The former leader of the Northern Elders Forum who just resigned his position as a presidential aide said conducting a bad election might lead to Nigeria’s end.
“Conducting a bad election in 2027 may lead to the end of Nigeria, I swear to God,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He further stated that elders from the Northern region would soon take a stand on the nation’s politics ahead of the 2027 election.
“There will be a time we will come out and say it’s okay, and it’s soon. This injustice is over. We know who we are,” he warned.
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