By Tony Obiechina, Abuja 

The Budget Office of the Federation has reaffirmed the integrity of Nigeria’s newly enacted Tax Reform Acts, cautioning against what it described as governance by speculation and unverified claims following allegations of post-passage alterations.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Budget Office said it had taken note of concerns raised by the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, stressing that the sanctity of the law is central to constitutional democracy and not a mere procedural formality.

According to the Office, any suggestion that a law could be altered after debate, passage, authentication, and presidential assent without due process would strike at the core of the Republic and undermine citizens’ right to be governed by transparent and stable laws.

However, it warned that democratic integrity is also endangered by the careless amplification of unverified claims. “A nation cannot be governed by insinuation or sustained on circulating documents of uncertain origin,” the statement noted, adding that public confidence, once shaken by speculation, is often difficult to restore.

The Budget Office emphasized that both government and citizens share a common interest in truth, clarity, and due process, noting that public finance depends heavily on trust in the legality and clarity of fiscal laws. It welcomed the decision of the National Assembly to investigate the allegations, describing institutional inquiry, not conjecture as the appropriate response to claims of illegality.

On public access to the law, the Office agreed that Nigerians and the business community are entitled to clear and authoritative texts of all laws they are required to obey. It clarified, however, that the authenticity of legislation is determined by certified legislative records and official publication processes, not by informal or viral reproductions.

The statement also underscored the importance of separation of powers, warning that claims suggesting Nigeria is being governed by “fake laws,” if not backed by established facts, risk eroding confidence in democratic institutions.

 At the same time, it stressed that legislative scrutiny should not be dismissed by the executive, noting that oversight is a constitutional duty, not an act of hostility.

From a fiscal perspective, the Budget Office said legal certainty is essential for revenue projections, macroeconomic stability, budget credibility, and investor confidence. While it is not the custodian of legislative records, it maintained that uncertainty around operative tax provisions directly affects economic planning.

To restore confidence, the Office proposed a set of measures, including the publication of verified reference texts in a single public repository, orderly access to Certified True Copies for stakeholders, clear public explanations where discrepancies are alleged, and strict alignment of all implementing regulations with authenticated legal texts.

Addressing calls for suspension of the tax reforms, the Budget Office cautioned against allowing prudence to slide into paralysis. It argued that properly implemented tax reform is necessary to reduce dependence on borrowing and inflationary financing, while easing indirect burdens on vulnerable citizens.

“Where clarification is required, it must be provided; where correction is required, it must be effected; where investigation is required, it must proceed,” the statement said, adding that governance and reform should not be stalled by unresolved conjecture.

The Office concluded by describing taxation as a democratic covenant that binds citizens and the state, insisting that compliance depends on transparency and trust. It called on political actors to protect institutions as much as positions, urging citizens and businesses to rely on verified sources and resist the spread of unauthenticated information.

The statement was signed by Tanimu Yakubu, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, who reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to fiscal transparency, institutional integrity, and reforms that advance national prosperity while safeguarding citizens’ rights.

From Yagana Ali, Yola 

Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has signed the ₦583.3 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year into law, following its passage by the State House of Assembly. The budget, christened the “Budget of Sustainable Growth and Economic Renewal,” allocates ₦209.

Addressing attendees at the signing ceremony, Governor Fintiri outlined key priorities, including strengthening infrastructure, expanding education and healthcare services, enhancing job creation, and supporting citizens’ welfare. “The budget was prepared after wide consultations and reflects the aspirations and needs of communities across the state,” he said.

On security, the Governor announced plans to deploy trained forest guards to Hong Local Government Area to address emerging challenges. “We will continue to prioritise security as a foundation for development,” he added.

Governor Fintiri also pledged to improve working relations with the media and achieve milestones in education, infrastructure, and other sectors through the budget’s implementation. “We are committed to translating these allocations into tangible improvements for our people,” he said.

Present at the ceremony were Deputy Governor Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta, Speaker of the Assembly Mr. Bathiya Wesley, Majority Leader Hon. Kate Raymond Mamuno, and other lawmakers. The Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Awwal Tukur, was also in attendance.

The budget signing underscores the administration’s focus on addressing pressing needs while fostering economic growth and social development in Adamawa State.

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‎From Mike Tayese, Yenogoa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has sued for patience on the ongoing installation of the state’s independent power project.

The 60-megawatt gas turbine project, which installation commenced in October this year, was earlier scheduled to be completed by December but suffered some logistical delay.

He called on people of the state to have an open mind about the project, which he said now requires a new completion date due to unforeseen challenges.

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Diri, who undertook an on-the-spot-assessment of the project at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area on Wednesday, said like other Bayelsans, he was also disappointed that the December completion deadline could not be met.

He, however, stated that his reaction to the delay had been that of understanding rather than being angry as had been noticed, particularly on the social media.

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‎”You can see I have  gone round the whole facility. It was based on the working agreement and information available at my disposal that I gave the December date. But as it is with every human endeavor, we must all have an open mind, when it comes to issues, particularly technical matters like this.

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‎”I am as disappointed as any other Bayelsan because I believed that we were going to celebrate the 2025 Christmas with our own independent power, but it turned out not to be so.

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‎”I call on Bayelsans to have an open mind. These technical experts are working virtually 24 hours, but delays like this will certainly come” he stated.

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‎The state’s helmsman implored the people to appreciate the work of the engineers, stressing that a minor mistake was capable of jeopardising the millions of dollars expended on the project.

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‎”For 29 years Bayelsa has been in darkness or has endured epileptic power supply. Now that we are getting close to the day of liberation, some people have become impatient. Let us not behave like the proverbial tortoise in the prison for years that asked to be released immediately as the place was smelling the moment he knew it would regain freedom the next day.‎”

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‎Governor Diri gave a thumps up to the technical partners, Jampur Group, and its team on ground as well as the Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, saying they were working round the clock to ensure the job was completed. 

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‎”Those who have been following me on this inspection would know that work has not stopped even for one day since it started. I am sure the job is more than 90 per cent complete. So let us hold our fire. 

“Engineer Olice, I am not putting you under any pressure. From the reports I have, Olice is one of the best electrical engineers in Nigeria.”

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The governor, however, hinted that the government was looking at inaugurating the project during its sixth anniversary in February. 

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The MD of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Kemenanabo, who also spoke, said the state was on the right track towards actualising the project and assured that the alignment of the entire system, including the gas generator and alternator were on course. 

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He also stated that the remaining two turbines would be delivered to the project site in a few days. 

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‎Speaking on behalf of the Jampur Group, Mr. Sherrif Abu-Anif said the company was in good position to meet its own end of the bargain and appreciated the state government for playing its part very well.