Politics
Lawmakers Reaffirm Commitment to Passage of Tax Reform Bills Amid Controversies
The leadership of Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives has reiterated their firm commitment to the passage of the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly, emphasizing that the legislative process for these bills will not be compromised.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas underlined the importance of the four tax-related bills, describing them as essential for Nigeria’s economic prosperity in 2025 and beyond. The reforms, they stated, are in the nation’s best interest, and the National Assembly will work diligently to ensure their passage.
The key bills include the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and the Nigeria Tax Bill—all aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s tax system.
Speaker Abbas reaffirmed the National Assembly’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tax reforms, calling them a transformative opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal framework. He highlighted the significance of the reforms in improving the country’s revenue generation and fostering a competitive business environment, which will benefit small and medium enterprises.
Senate President Akpabio, in his remarks, praised the ongoing tax reforms under President Tinubu’s leadership, noting that they represent the most comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system since the country’s independence. He assured the public that the National Assembly would not block any of the proposed reforms, urging Nigerians to engage thoughtfully with the proposals.
Both leaders also reiterated their commitment to passing the 2025 national budget and all related reforms. In addition, both chambers of the National Assembly have moved to extend the capital component of the 2024 budget to June 30, 2025, to ensure continuity in key infrastructure projects. The bill for the extension has already passed its first and second readings in the Senate.
This development follows the presentation of President Tinubu’s N47.96 trillion national budget for 2025, which he described as a “budget of prosperity and restoration.”
The anti-Tinubu coalition, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has accused governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of sabotaging efforts to form a united opposition against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, coalition spokesperson Salihu Moh. Lukman criticised the PDP Governors Forum for rejecting a proposed coalition of opposition parties and political figures. The governors had, during their meeting on April 14, voiced disapproval of the initiative aimed at forging a broad-based alliance against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Lukman insisted that the coalition represents a critical pathway not just to challenge the APC’s grip on power but to rescue Nigeria’s democracy from what he called imminent collapse.
“For more than 10 years that the PDP has been out of power, Nigerians have waited for the party to provide the viable opposition needed,” he said. “Instead, it went into suspended animation until the Tinubu-led APC found a willing undertaker to finally put it to rest.”
He alleged that key figures like Nyesom Wike, now serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, have contributed to the PDP’s decline, positioning themselves to weaken the opposition ahead of the next elections.
“The current goal is to revive the PDP just enough to act as a spoiler — to divide opposition votes in 2027. The PDP governors are now playing Asiwaju’s game, knowingly or not,” Lukman claimed.
The coalition, according to him, aims to restore democratic values by building trust between citizens and political institutions, which he said have been weakened under both APC and PDP leaderships.
Citing the PDP’s failure to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in two years and the internal power struggles plaguing the party, Lukman accused the governors of usurping roles meant for other party organs. “If left unchecked, these governors will continue destroying democratic structures,” he warned.
He stressed that the coalition remains open to all political actors committed to rebuilding Nigeria’s democracy, even as some PDP leaders have rejected the alliance.
“Patriotic Nigerians must look beyond loyalty to parties like the PDP, whose leaders now serve as undercover supporters of the APC. Our focus is on political negotiation, building consensus, and restoring confidence in democracy,” the statement added.
Among those driving the coalition alongside Atiku are 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi; former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai; ex-SGF Babachir Lawal; former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu; ex-transport minister Rotimi Amaechi; and former Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi.
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has unveiled plans to stage a massive endorsement rally in Abia State in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The rally, expected to draw over five million participants from across the South East region, was announced in a statement jointly signed by COSEYL President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Okey Nwaoru.
According to the group, the event will serve as a strategic mobilization effort to highlight the leadership achievements of President Tinubu and Senator Kalu, who currently represents Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
“The people of the South East are very pleased and satisfied with the exceptional leadership and transformational contributions of Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu,” the statement read. “His efforts have significantly impacted the region and will contribute immensely to securing a 90 percent electoral victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 elections.”
COSEYL praised Senator Kalu’s role in advancing education, road infrastructure, agriculture, and youth empowerment. The group stated that these developmental strides have fostered regional unity and positioned the South East as a stronghold for the Tinubu-led administration.
“Senator Kalu has consistently worked toward the betterment of our region—renovating schools, constructing roads, investing in agriculture, and implementing youth empowerment initiatives,” the group emphasized.
They further expressed confidence that the rally would be a significant display of unity and political direction from the South East ahead of the 2027 elections.
“As we build momentum for the upcoming campaign, this rally will serve as a powerful demonstration of unity and endorsement from the South East. The future is bright under the continued leadership of President Tinubu and Senator Kalu,” the statement concluded.
Veteran Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has clarified that his controversial new song is not an attack on President Bola Tinubu, but a direct response to comments made by the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu. The artist also strongly criticised the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for banning the song, calling the move “pure hypocrisy.”
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds, Abdulkareem said he was inspired to record the track after watching a video of Seyi Tinubu praising his father as the best president Nigeria has ever had.
“I was inspired by Seyi Tinubu to record the song,” he explained. “If he had kept quiet, I wouldn’t have said anything. He repeated over and over that his father is the greatest president, but the reality in Nigeria contradicts that.”
The rapper slammed Seyi for being out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Nigerians. “He has been empowered as the president’s son, but Nigerian youths can’t even get jobs or travel safely by road,” he said. “Let Seyi Tinubu travel by road without his security. Let him feel what everyday Nigerians go through.”
Abdulkareem also rebuked the NBC for banning the song, which he insists reflects the lived realities of many Nigerians. “Why ban a song that simply expresses the truth Nigerians are already living?” he questioned. “Instead of fixing the country, they’re banning songs. That’s the real shame.”
Drawing on his legacy as a musical activist, he recalled how his 2004 protest song Nigeria Jaga Jaga faced backlash during the Obasanjo era. “It’s been 24 years since I released Nigeria Jaga Jaga, and nothing has changed — if anything, things are worse,” he lamented.
Abdulkareem reiterated his commitment to using music as a tool for activism. “This is my duty. I will keep singing truth to power until Nigeria becomes a better place. And when that day comes, I’ll gladly release a new song celebrating a nation that finally works.”
His comments have reignited public discourse around freedom of expression, youth disillusionment, and the role of artists in Nigeria’s sociopolitical landscape.
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