The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, has hinted that his principal may eventually agree to some conditions and terms of the state governors concerning tax reform bills.

The tax reform bills, which are before the National Assembly, have generated controversies and met pushbacks especially from the Northern leaders, forcing the lawmakers to initiate consultation.

The bills comprise the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

Despite the negative reactions to the reform from the state governors and other stakeholders, the President strongly affirmed that his administration’s tax reforms had come to stay.

Speaking on Channels TV, which SaharaReporters watched on Monday evening, Bwala said that state governors’ opposition to the reforms, particularly those from the north, would give them a negotiating advantage.

He said: “The tax reform bills have come for good and it will be passed. And I know the politics of the north and of course you know I am a northerner. So let me react to that, they are very good in politics of negotiation. Just like in America, when you bring partisan laws, you will see that it passes without stress. When you bring a law that maybe Democrats will benefit more than Republicans, you will see that the Republicans will try to pose a threat so to speak until there is a concession.

“So with the continuous conversations in this field, I see a situation where there will be a position by the governors that may be acceptable to the federal government. The federal government may need to concede in some areas while the state government may also need to concede in some areas and at the end of the day, the bill will be passed.”

The swearing-in of President John Dramani Mahama was a historic and highly anticipated event, drawing attention from both local and international observers.

Notable figures in attendance included African Heads of State, such as Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré, as well as 24 envoys and a distinguished group of dignitaries.

The ceremony saw a mixture of cheers and applause as Speaker Alban Bagbin called upon various dignitaries to extend their congratulations to the newly inaugurated President.

However, it was the moment when Burkina’s military leader Ibrahim Traoré was called that electrified the crowd at the Black Star Square, with an eruption of joy and cheer sweeping through the audience.

Ibrahim Traoré a Burkinabé military officer has been the leader of Burkina Faso since the September 20, 2022 coup d’état which ousted interim president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.

At age 34, Traoré is Africa’s youngest leader.

Watch video below:

Visiting Heads of States congratulates the New President of Ghana 🇬🇭 John Mahama. Many have been called but the crowd erupts and cheers when the President of Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 Ibrahim Traoré has been called. 👀 pic.twitter.com/r1vGhcjwue

— Interesting Facts (@Interesting228) January 7, 2025

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Source: www.ghanaweb.com

President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Nigerian leaders Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, joined a host of African dignitaries on Tuesday in Accra for the historic inauguration of Ghana’s new president, John Mahama.

Mahama, who previously served as Ghana’s president, returned to office after succeeding Nana Akufo-Addo, his successor in 2017.

The ceremony also marked a groundbreaking moment as Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang was sworn in as Ghana’s first female vice president.

Addressing the audience, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering support for Ghana under Mahama’s leadership, describing him as a leader of “patriotic vision and substance.” He called for unity among African nations, stating, “You can always count on Nigeria’s support.”

In his inaugural speech, Mahama expressed gratitude for the presence of Tinubu and other dignitaries, pledging to deepen ties within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and to work toward regional prosperity.

The event underscored the strengthening bond between Ghana and Nigeria, offering a vision of unity and progress for the West African region.

See photos below: