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Ndume Opposes FG Proposed Upward Tax Review

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By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

The senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly, Mohammed Ali Ndume has spoken against plans by the Federal Government to review the tax regime of the country upward, stressing that such measures would impoverish Nigerians the most.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday, Senator Ndume explained that the Federal Government must get things right first, expand sources of income for Nigerians and ensure that the people are living and not surviving, before reviewing the taxes upward.

The former Leader of the Senate said the middle class of the country was gradually fading, as they were being squeezed out by the high inflation.

“This tax they’re talking about, we are almost losing the middle class in Nigeria. It is either you have it or you do not have it. Those that are in the middle are being squeezed out. If Nigerians can pay for those taxes, it is okay.

“But in the current situation, increasing taxes is not an alternative at all. I will not support any increase in tax.

“Let us get things right first. Let people start living and not survive. Let people have extra income, and then you can tax them. I like to use an example of common sense. Allow Nigerians to have enough blood in their body before you start asking for donation,” Ndume stated.

He said the managers of the economy want to make President Bola Tinubu look bad before Nigerians by proposing any increase in tax, while calling on the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and other managers to stop misleading President Tinubu.

Ndume, who recently appreciated President Tinubu for his de-dollarisation policy, said: “The poverty is too much in the north. Let us be frank about that. So, you want to increase taxes again? Tax those people who can afford it. Those who can afford the taxes in Nigeria, I do not want to be particular about it, are not even paying the taxes. These big companies do not even declare their income, not to talk of getting the appropriate taxes.

“I am one of those opposing that tax bill in the National Assembly. I am not going to support it. In fact, I am going to start campaigning against the increase in tax for now because it does not only affect the north but the average Nigerian.

“I am not saying people should not pay tax, but do not go and tax people that are barely struggling to survive. You are paying somebody N70,000 as a minimum wage, and all of a sudden, the price of fuel went up to N1,000. It means that if you put the arithmetic together, you see that you would have continued paying me the N30,000 and allow the litre of fuel to be N100.

“It is like giving you with one hand and taking it with the other hand. Let the tax authority focus on those who are supposed to pay tax. For example, in Abuja, if you go round, there are a lot of properties in there that are not paying taxes. Fortunately, you have Nyesom Wike who stands up to do something about it.

“People are not paying property taxes. These banks, for example, are making tons and tons of money, and they are not paying taxes. And they are collecting taxes. If you transfer money, they are collecting taxes. If you receive money, they are collecting taxes. And they declare profits. Go and check their taxes. Now you want to squeeze somebody who is barely trying to survive because there are many.

“You need to start from somewhere that is acceptable. I, at one time, proposed a bill for communication and phone owners to pay tax. It didn’t see the light of the day.

“You are talking about Abuja here. Many people do not have access to mobile phones. Anybody who can access a phone should be able to pay tax.”

POLITICS

CP-PDP to Wike: “You’re Not Recognized as PDP Member”

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The The Conference of Professionals in the PDP (CP-PDP) on Wednesday said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has crossed the red line and he is no longer recognized as a bonafide member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Reacting to the recent outburst by Wike in his latest media parley wherein he boasted that no one has the guts to tell him that he is not a member of the PDP, the CP-PDP declared that he has lost his membership of party by his open cessation of subscription, loyalty and adherence to the mandatory Code of Conduct of members as enshrined under Section 10 (6) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

In a statement signed by Obinna Nwachukwu,
Protem National Coordinator, CP-PDP, “For emphasis Section 10 (6) of the PDP Constitution unambiguously dictates that “No member of the party shall align with other parties or groups to undermine the party or any of its elected government”.

“It is instructive to state that the legal claim, validity or legitimacy of membership of any political party or any organization for that matter, is explicitly embedded in the uncompromised subscription and absolute loyalty by an individual to the enshrined Code of Conduct of the organization.

“The self-executory import of Section 10 (6) is that by publicly aligning with the APC and declaring to work for the victory of the APC in the 2026 FCT Council Election and the 2027 Presidential election, the FCT minister, has by such alignment and declaration renounced, relinquished and terminated his membership of the PDP.

“Moreover, the constant outbursts, hauling of insults on the party leaders and the recent declaration to ‘pull out of all agreements’ and ‘to fight’ in the PDP underpins a complete rejection of the letters and spirit of the Code of Conduct of the PDP which action can only be associated with a non-member of the PDP.

“Furthermore, as patriotic Nigerians, the CP-PDP is disturbed by the FCT Minister’s use of his media parleys as channel to attack our party leaders. Such only overheats the polity and creates apprehension in the polity.

“The CP-PDP as a well-meaning body has directed our media professionals to engage their colleagues in the media on ways to check this disturbing trend. It must also be noted that nobody has the monopoly of media outbursts.”

While admonishing Chief Wike to leave the PDP alone and face his job in the APC administration, the CP-PDP restates its challenge to Chief Wike to hold a live media public hearing and allow Nigerians to directly engage him on allegations of corruption, mismanagement of funds, land grabbing, racketeering, vindictive revocation and demolition of property as well as alleged exploitation of residents, commuters and businesses with heavy tariffs, multiple levies and fees going on in the FCT in the last two years.

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POLITICS

Mid-term Report: Otti’s Govt Lacks Accountability, Transparency, says APC

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… Accuses Gov of Running ‘One-man Show’

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has slammed Governor Alex Otti of Abia state, for lack of
transparency and accountability since he came into office in 2023.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Partners in the state, which held late on Sunday, Abia state APC Chairman, Dr.

Kingsley C. Ononogbu, said Governor Otti has been running a “one-man show” driven by propaganda rather than purpose.

Abia state chapter APC chaitman, however, assured the people and residents in the state of a competent hand devoid of propaganda and a one-man show.

According to him, a “better and truly new Abia” is still possible under the right leadership.

The Renewed Hope Partners is a support group of the party solely mobilizing support for the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of 2027 general elections.

According to Ononogbu, the inauguration marks the beginning of the journey aimed at repositioning Abia State for the Renewed Hope Crusade, and I believe so because I can see on the faces of everyone here, the search for a truly new Abia State.

He said: “When we read and listen to social media hype and praises, regarding the state of Abia, one often wonders if it is the same Abia State that we live in.

“Abia State today is nothing but a “A One Man Show” anchored on a very well oiled propaganda machinery. Accountability is long gone. Checks and balances non existent while conflict of interest is now a norm.

“A government of one man show from his private home and for selected friends and cronies. A government where the governor operates as the chief executive, chief accountant and the auditor.

“An administration that would prefer to convert a newly built government house to a 5 star hotel, while operating necodemously from his personal house. And for the roads being built newly, the style of collation, scrutiny, and award of the contracts falls below acceptable standard of state (F&GPC) and best practice.”

The APC chieftain declared that the Renewed Hope Partners must come to terms with the fact that they are support groups of the party and must partner with the party in its collective efforts to reach out to the grassroots across the country.

“When our people are well informed, they will stand firmly to rebuke and resist the sugar- coated lies of the deceitful coalition oppositions.”

He assured that the party will not only win at the federal level in 2027 “but APC will also win in Abia State.”

He also called on all the APC stakeholders in the state to be more united, saying “in the spirit of the ongoing reconciliations as directed by the President and accepted by all the critical Stakeholders of Abia APC , I urge all APC members in Abia State who for one reason or the other have been staying away from the activities of the party in the state to come back home.”

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POLITICS

Zamfara North Communities Condemn Gov. Lawal’s Leadership as Total Failure

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By David Torough, Abuja

A coalition representing four local government areas in Zamfara North Senatorial District has launched a scathing attack on Governor Dauda Lawal, branding his administration a “monumental failure” after two years in office.

In a statement on Wednesday, the coalition—made up of Kauran Namoda, Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi, and Zurmi communities—accused Governor Lawal of abandoning his campaign promises and worsening the region’s insecurity, poverty, and infrastructure decay.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Chairman Yakubu Ibrahim Shinkafi lamented the dire conditions residents now face.

“People can no longer sleep with both eyes closed.

They cannot go to their farms. They wake up and sleep in hunger,” Shinkafi said.

“Yet, during the 2023 campaign, he promised to end insecurity and hunger within two weeks.”

The coalition highlighted the unrelenting wave of banditry, kidnappings, and extortion plaguing their communities.

Shinkafi claimed thousands have lost their lives, while others have been forced to pay millions in ransoms, even as the state government celebrates its second year in office.

“What is he celebrating? He is celebrating failure,” Shinkafi remarked bitterly.

“The situation has deteriorated. Bandits now operate with confidence while the government remains silent.”

Governor Lawal, who came into office in 2023 on promises of swift action to tackle insecurity, had assured voters that peace would return within two weeks of his inauguration. But two years on, residents say the crisis has only deepened.

“Not only has peace remained elusive, but insecurity has now become a permanent nightmare,” the coalition’s statement read.

The group commended the Nigerian Army and other security forces for their sacrifices but argued that the state government has failed to provide necessary support and leadership.

“There is no adequate intelligence cooperation, no visible engagement with communities, and no strategic direction from the governor,” the statement added.

“He has abandoned his duties and disconnected from the people’s plight.”

Beyond security concerns, the coalition criticised the collapse of essential services, pointing to deteriorating healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

“The hopes people had when Governor Lawal took office have turned into despair,” Shinkafi said.

“Our communities are calling for a serious reassessment of priorities. We demand leadership and an end to the deception.”

“Zamfara State deserves better,” the statement said .

“We will not allow our lives to be destroyed under the weight of a failed administration.”

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