Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Sunday, said the 36 state governors demanded wider consultation on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills in order to carry the entire nation along, given the far-reaching implications of the reforms.

Makinde also clarified that he was not opposed to the tax reforms but only presented the reservations raised by the governors to the press.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde made this clarification during a media chat on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State on Saturday.

On October 3, 2024, President Bola Tinubu transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly: the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

These bills have sparked controversy, with many stakeholders opposing certain sections proposed by the government.

Makinde, who had briefed the media on the position of the National Economic Council regarding the bills, explained that the NEC unanimously agreed that the bills should be withdrawn from the National Assembly to allow for wider consultation.

“At the NEC meeting, we asked the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force about the status of the bills, and he confirmed they were already at the National Assembly,” Makinde said. “I asked, ‘If that’s the case, why are you just coming to us for approval?’ It amounted to putting the cart before the horse.”

He continued: “We agreed that the bills should be withdrawn, enabling broader consultations with stakeholders. This could lead to alignment, whether in their original form or with necessary adjustments based on stakeholder feedback.”

Addressing criticisms that he was opposed to the reforms, Makinde stated: “I was asked to explain our decision to withdraw the bills for consultation, but some people chose to focus on the messenger rather than the message.”

Makinde described the Ibadan funfair tragedy, which claimed the lives of 35 children on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, as a monumental loss.

He noted that the incident, alongside the Bodija explosion in January 2024, could have been avoided if appropriate measures had been taken.

In the Bodija explosion, five people died, 77 sustained injuries, and 58 houses were damaged.

The explosion, which occurred on Dejo Oyelese Street on January 16, was reportedly caused by explosives stored by illegal miners.

Eleven months later, 35 children died, and six others were critically injured in a crowd crush at a funfair held at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan.

The funfair was organised by the foundation of Naomi Silekunola, a former queen of the Ooni of Ife.

Makinde observed a minute of silence for the victims during the media chat.

He assured the public that the legal process was ongoing, though slow.

Addressing allegations of land grabbing linked to the Circular Road project, Makinde said his administration was taking bold steps to break the limitations faced by previous governments in economic expansion.

“Some people have described me as a land grabber,” he said. “Ironically, those under investigation for land grabbing are the ones making these accusations. The Circular Road is not just another road; it will be the first motorway in Nigeria. The 32km stretch from Technical University to Badeku will have only two exit points, ensuring structured development along the corridor.”

Makinde emphasised that his government was committed to initiatives that would benefit residents, even if such decisions seem harsh in the short term.

“To break the cycle of poverty, we need to seize opportunities for lasting impact. Our state’s founding vision is one of prosperity, not poverty,” he said.

Makinde pledged a major overhaul of Oyo State’s education infrastructure in 2025, noting that his administration had consistently exceeded the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization benchmark for budgetary allocation to education.

“We’ve rearranged resources to prioritise education because it’s critical to our development,” Makinde said. He acknowledged that despite significant investment, much work remains, estimating that N60 billion is needed to address the sector’s challenges.

“For tertiary institutions, we are doing well, and I am satisfied,” he added.

The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) has condemned the alleged murder of 37-year-old Nigerian, Mr Julius Chukwunta, by four South Africans.

Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on December 7, 2024, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

NICASA President-General Dr Frank Onyekwelu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, said Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

According to him, after attempting to pass through, he was met with resistance, prompting him to seek help at the security office.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu confirmed that the case, reported by Chukwunta’s partner, had been registered at the Midrand police station under file number 262/12/2024.

He said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu expressed disappointment at the proceedings and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.

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The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor Williams Kumuyi, has expressed concern over Christians’ low participation in active politics.

He submitted that they have no right to complain over policy direction if they fail to make themselves available for nation-building.

The General Superintendent stated this during a press briefing to herald the ministry’s annual retreat, tagged; ‘Power for present possession’ and the ‘Global Crusade with Kumuyi’ slated to commence today, at the campground in Ogun State.

He said, “So, if the Christians don’t take part in politics, first off, it means that this side alone without any Christian, will determine the direction we go and will determine what the country becomes.

“And the Christians have no right to complain if they are not available to make things better,” he said.

He urged elected leaders across various helms to consider the plights of the citizens, saying they were entrusted with the responsibilities to bring out the dividend of democracy.

“We all see the condition and what is going on. Our leaders are elected leaders, whether we are thinking of the local government, state and whole nation, or the federal government.”