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Bode George decries Tinubu’s ‘suffocating’ tax policies

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* Fault contributions towards private library Remi Tinubu
Says, revenue generation must not come at the cost of citizens’ survival

By Francesca Hangeior

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode George, has condemned what he described as suffocating taxation policies under President Bola Tinubu, saying revenue generation must not come at the cost of citizens’ survival.

George faulted contributions towards the private library for the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, describing the initiative as insensitive to the harsh economic realities in the country.

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The Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, in a statement titled: ‘2026: Nigeria at a critical junction in its journey,’ slammed the alleged harassment of governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde of Bauchi and Oyo states, adding that it was an assault on Nigeria’s federalist structure.

The statement reads: “We stand at a critical junction in our nation’s journey. The air is thick with apprehension, not because of a lack of potential, but because of a systematic erosion of the democratic values that bind us together.

“First, we must address the alarming pattern of hostility directed toward dissenting voices. The harassment of Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde of Bauchi and Oyo states is not merely a political skirmish; it is a calculated assault on the federalist structure of our nation. When state executives are intimidated for holding different views, it signals a dangerous slide toward a one-party state.

“Democracy thrives on a plurality of ideas, not the silence of the graveyard. While our people grapple with unprecedented hardship, we see a jarring disconnect in the corridors of power. The massive contributions toward a private library for the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, represent a profound insensitivity to the current economic climate. In a land where millions go to bed hungry, such funds would have been better utilized in ameliorating the biting poverty that has become the daily companion of the average Nigerian.

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“Leadership must be about service and sacrifice, not the curation of legacies while the people suffer. Furthermore, we call upon the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

“The credibility of our democracy rests squarely on your shoulders. You must be just; you must be fair. The era of “miracle results” and technical glitches must end. Nigeria deserves transparent, free, and fair elections where the ballot—not the arrangement —determines the victor.

“To the government of President Bola Tinubu, we urge a rethink of current trajectories. The prevailing taxation policies are suffocating the very businesses and individuals they should be empowering.

“While revenue is necessary, it must not come at the cost of the people’s survival. More distressing is the apparent effort to create an environment that infringes on the right to existence of opposition parties.

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A democracy without a viable opposition is a dictatorship in disguise. We live in a global village, and we must learn from the shadows of history. We need only look at the Venezuela experience to see the consequences of hyper-taxation, the suppression of opposition, and the erosion of democratic institutions. Venezuela serves as a stark reminder that even the most resource-rich nations can crumble when leadership prioritizes power over the people.

“Let us choose a different path. Let us protect our governors, respect our citizens’ pockets, and ensure our electoral process is beyond reproach. The soul of our nation depends on it.”

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Blackout hits Abuja, Nasarawa, AEDC explains

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Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has announced an electricity outage in parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State.

AEDC disclosed this in a notice on Wednesday.

The disco said the outage is due to a technical fault on the transmission company of Nigeria (TCN) 132kV Apo – Karu – line 1.

Consequently, bulk electricity supply has been disrupted in areas in Abuja and Nasarawa, including in Karu, Nyanya, Jikwoyi, Kurudu, Orozo, Karshi, Mararaba, Ado, New Nyanya, New Karu Uke, Masaka, Auta Balaifi, Keffi, Nasarawa Toto, Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon, and environs.

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The disco, however, assured electricity restoration.

“The technical team of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is currently working to restore power supply around 3:00 pm today, 10th June 2026.

“We regret the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding,” AEDC stated.

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Watch moment VP Shettima arrives at venue of commissioning of Arterial RN5 Obafemi Awolowo Way today

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Watch clip showing arrival of Vice President Kashim Shettima at the venue of the commissioning of the newly constructed Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) from Life Camp Junction to RR III, Dape District section.

#FCTProjects2026
#RenewedHopeFCT

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Red carpet reception for banned referee Artan on arrival in Somalia

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Referee Omar Artan has vowed to officiate at the 2030 World Cup after arriving home in Somalia following his ban from entering the United States.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Mogadishu Airport to give a warm welcome to Omar Artan.

Some in the crowd carried banners with supportive slogans while others wore specially made hats bearing pictures of the referee, who has quickly become an icon in his homeland.

There were also social media celebrities who posed for photos with Artan and live-streamed the welcome on their platforms.

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Amid the celebratory reception, there was also visible anger that the first Somali appointed as a World Cup referee had been denied entry to the United States.

The 34-year-old – Africa’s referee of the year in 2025 – was set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals but was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Monday despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single entry US visa.

No reason for his repatriation has been given by US immigration authorities, but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump.

He arrived back in Somalia on Wednesday, landing at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu where he was greeted by government officials and representatives of the Somali Football Federation, as well as fellow referees and local residents.

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Artan is expected to attend a public event at Mogadishu Stadium later on Wednesday afternoon and watch a match between Heegan and Dekadaha.

“I’d like to thank the officials, ministers, MPs and everyone. I want to thank my country and people for their support. The encouragement I received here, I know I’ll get more support outside [the airport],” Artan said, translated into English by the BBC.

“Everything is pre-destined. Fifa supported me well and were in touch with me until I reached Mogadishu.

“I promise you that I’ll be officiating in the next World Cup. Somalia, everywhere, I’m letting you know.”

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Artan, who was named the Confederation of African Football (Caf) men’s referee of the year in 2025, was one of 52 referees selected for the tournament.

However, his “dream” came crashing down as he attempted to travel to the on-pitch officials’ base in Florida, with Artan telling the New York Times, external he had faced an 11-hour immigration interview and was detained for several hours before be was put on a flight back to Istanbul, Turkey.

Speaking to BBC World Service, Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, said: “While I can’t go into the derog [derogatory information] on that I can tell you it was the right decision by customs and border patrol and I support that decision.”

It was not possible for Artan to stay outside the United States and referee matches played in Canada or Mexico, with all on-pitch officials based in Florida for training, preparation, and security.

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Trump placed a full entry ban under any visa category for 12 countries, including Somalia, in June 2025.

Two days before the World Cup draw in December 2025, Trump drew widespread attention for comments made about Somalia in the lead up to a planned immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, which has a large Somali community.

“With Somalia, which is barely a country, you know, they have no anything,” he said.

“They just run around killing each other. There’s no structure.”

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He added that Somali immigrants should “go back to where they came from” and that the US would “go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage to our country”.

On arriving home, Artan urged Somalia’s youth not to lose hope in their country in the face of his treatment, stating: “Let’s all defend Somalia’s honour. We all belong to Somalia whether it’s bad or good.

“That flag is ours and so is the passport – let’s defend it.

“The youth shouldn’t be demoralised about their country. Despite this happening to me, I’ll still stand for my nation.

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“I want to continue my journey from here and urge the youth to do the same.”

For his part, Artan was very happy with the welcome he received. The determined look on his face backed up the statements he has made about continuing his career and he told friends that he is ready to start training right away.

After the press conference, he was given a grand farewell. Thousands more people are expected to greet him at the Mogadishu Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Another hero’s welcome is on the cards.

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