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Northern youth groups decry politicisation of tax reform bills
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By Francesca Hangeior.
A coalition of northern youth groups, students, and community-based organisations have cautioned against the politicisation of the tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.
The group, which comprised representatives from across the seven states of North-West Nigeria, made the call at a one-day engagement held at Arewa House, Kaduna, on Thursday.
The group also threw its weight on the tax reform bills, while cautioning that it must not be politicised.
Recall that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum has endorsed the tax reform bills submitted by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly.
A communique read at the end of the symposium by National Coordinator, Nigeria First Project Initiative, Hamza Saulawa, flanked by National Secretary, Bishir Dauda and the
Awareness Initiative, Coordinator, Coalition of Northern Nigerian Students Forum, Sadi Garba, said the symposium was organised in response to the ongoing debates surrounding the tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.
According to the National Coordinator of the Nigeria First Project Initiative, “The tax reform bills have the potential to enhance the country’s revenue base, reduce dependence on oil revenue, and ensure a more equitable tax system. However, we are concerned that the discourse has been heavily politicised, regionalised, and ethnically charged.”
The group noted that the politicisation of the tax reform bills is a deliberate attempt to distract Nigerians from the real issues.
“We urge caution and restraint in the debate, advising the public to disregard divisive rhetoric propagated by agents of discord seeking to exploit this issue for political gain,” it said.
The group noted that certain political actors are deliberately manipulating public sentiment, disguising personal interests under the guise of regional or national concern. This has shifted the debate from a focus on tax reforms to an agenda centered on the 2027 general elections.
The group also encouraged Northerners to participate in the upcoming public hearings on the tax bills and to present their views constructively.
“We must ensure that our voices are heard and that our concerns are addressed.”
The participants also called on Northern states to diversify their revenue sources, prioritize agricultural development, and capitalize on federal government policies on solid minerals and livestock development.
According to them, “Northern states have the potential to be economically self-sufficient, but this requires visionary leadership and a commitment to transparency and accountability.”
The group commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiatives, such as the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development and the creation of the Northwest Development Commission.
“We appreciate the President’s efforts to address the economic and social challenges facing Northern Nigeria,” said Saulawa. However, we must ensure that these initiatives are implemented effectively and that the benefits are felt by the people.”
The communiqué emphasised the importance of accountability, transparency, and visionary leadership in addressing the economic and social challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
“We must work together to build a better future for ourselves and for generations to come. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our communities to demand more from our leaders and to hold them accountable for their actions,” said the Communique.
The engagement was attended by representatives from various youth groups, students, and community-based organizations from across Northwest Nigeria.
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We’re using 31 days to commission projects in FCT to mark Tinubu’s 3rd year anniversary – Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced an unprecedented 31-day marathon project commissionings across the nation’s capital to celebrate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
Speaking at a political luncheon in Port Harcourt, the Minister showcased the administrative landmark achievements under his watch, attributing the massive infrastructural development to the strategic backing and vision of the President.
According to Wike, the month-long commissioning circuit will feature major road networks, public utilities, and massive urban renewal projects designed to completely reshape the nation’s capital.
Brushing aside critics, the Minister issued a direct challenge regarding the scale and quality of his administration’s output in the FCT.
”This third year of Mr. President alone…, we are taking 31 days for commissioning of projects in Abuja. I’m not talking about boreholes. I challenge anybody to contradict this” Wike stated.
He emphasized that the rapid development unfolding in Abuja is a direct testament to purposeful leadership, throwing down a challenge to opposition figures to match the scale of the ongoing works.
While highlighting his milestones in the FCT, the former Rivers State Governor pivoted to a surprisingly reconciliatory tone regarding the intense political friction in his home state, offering a blanket pardon to all political opponents.
”I use this opportunity today, to announce that I have forgiven everybody,” Wike declared, stressing that prolonged political warfare serves no constructive purpose.
”I want you to come back home sincerely… We have played politics, we have abused ourselves, this is the right time for you to come back,” he added, urging estranged allies and adversaries alike to swallow their pride and return to a unified fold.
Despite the sweeping offer of peace, the Minister did not mince words regarding the resilience of his political structure back home, which he described as an invincible “rainbow coalition.”
Wike issued strong warnings and assertions regarding the political landscape.
He explicitly warned external forces against attempting to destabilize Rivers State, stating, “Anybody from another state who is trying to destroy Rivers State, the person will have problems… You put your hand, you get fire.”
He asserted that his political machinery has effectively locked down future electoral cycles.
“If you are talking about the governorship election in this state, forget it, it’s gone… If you are thinking that any miracle will happen to overturn, to pull the rug off us, it’s a lie,” he stated.
Reassuring his supporters of their strategic dominance, he noted, “We are very over-alerted anytime, any day. We’ll take you back, we’ll work with everybody. We are not selfish.”
While other states grapple with internal party crises and bitter conflicts within both the PDP and APC, Wike maintained that his political coalition remained secured and fully prepared to maintain its dominance for the next eight years and beyond.
News
Watch: FCT minister Wike promises Tinubu’s third admin will showcase commissioning of projects in 31 days
The Federal Capital Territory FCT minister Nyesom Wike has promised that President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary would showcase commissioning of projects in Abuja for 31 days.
Speaking at the Rainbow Coalition Renewed Hope Luncheon, the ‘talk and do” minister vowed that for 31 days projects will be commissioned across the Territory to mark Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
He said: “We’re using 31 days to commission projects in the FCT to mark President Tinubu’s third-year anniversary in office.
He announced plans for next month, after using 9 days in year 1 and 19 days in year 2.
Video courtesy of TVC
WATCH:
News
There was No Election in Idemili North/South Federal Constituency, Says Ikokwu – Petitions NDC Election Appeal Panel
Aspirant for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu (Ugonecheora) says no real primary election took place in the constituency on the 29th of May, and has asked the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Election Appeal Panel not to declare a winner, and to immediately investigate the roles played by opposing candidates and their supporters in disrupting the process.
“I respectfully call on the Election Panel to immediately investigate the roles played by unruly candidates, their agents, and supporters in the disruption of the process. I further urge the panel to take disciplinary action against any individual found culpable in sponsoring violence, intimidation, or acts capable of undermining the party’s democratic process.
“I also call for a thorough investigation into the role played by individuals and officials saddled with the responsibility of organizing and coordinating the election, whose apparent failure, negligence, or inability to properly manage the process significantly contributed to the confusion, disorder, and eventual collapse of the exercise.
“I demand that the failed exercise be declared inconclusive. Mr. Eric Anyamene should not be declared winner. Hon. Uche Okonkwo should also not be declared winner.
“It will be a fraudulent choice if the NDC names either Mr. Anyamene or Hon. Okonkwo as winner for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency because the party would have chosen them through brazen criminal acts contrary to natural justice, equity and good conscience. No direct primary election took place in Idemili North and South Federal Constituency to enable members to choose their representative by popular votes.”
Background
From the onset, there was widespread confusion over the designated venue for Idemili South, which was a deliberate act of sabotage. Party members, delegates, and supporters were subjected to conflicting information, leaving many uncertain about where the election was to take place. When the designated venue was located, the absence of proper coordination, accreditation, and supervision compounded the disorder, preventing the exercise from taking place.
The situation deteriorated when rival supporters and suspected thugs loyal to both Hon. Okonkwo and Mr. Anyamene engaged in violent activities, creating panic, and forcing many party members to flee for their safety. Specifically, Mr. Anyamene’s unruly supporters recorded a video of random voters in the South while chanting “Eric is winning, Eric is winning,” and there was no election going on. His thugs clashed with other thugs, resulting in an atmosphere of intimidation and insecurity, which rendered the environment in Idemili South unsuitable for the conduct of a free, fair, and credible election.
Dr. Ikokwu’s supporters who had waited from as early as 10:00 a.m., were unable to cast their votes before the exercise collapsed around 1.30pm. In the North, the story was the same. Mr. Anyamene dominated with hired goons that caused mayhem at the election ground. Dr. Ikokwu’s poster was torn to pieces by Anyamene’s thugs over there.
End
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