News
Tax Reform Bill would be looked into in best interest of Nigerians – Speaker Abbas
As criticisms continue to trail the Tax Reform Bill presented to the two arms of the legislature, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas said, the lower legislative Chamber would scrutinize the bill in the best interest of Nigerians.
The Speaker who made this known in Abuja on Monday at ‘The People’s House Interactive Session on Tax Reform Bills’ organised by the House, noted that the controversies surrounding the bills “are a reflection of their importance,” adding that such debates are “healthy and necessary in a democracy.”
He added that the session was to channel those discussions into productive outcomes, stressing that it is critical that the House listens to diverse perspectives, asks probing questions, and seeks clarity on any unclear provisions.
The Speaker explained that the bills represent critical proposals from the executive to expand Nigeria’s tax base, improve compliance, and establish sustainable revenue streams for the nation’s development.
He further explained that the Tax Reform Bills aim to diversify the country’s revenue base, promote equity, and foster an enabling environment for investment and innovation.
Speaker Abbas noted that the purpose of the session was to provide members of the House with “a comprehensive understanding of the proposed bills.”
Speaker Abbas noted that tax reforms are a cornerstone of the 10th House’s Legislative Agenda “because of their central role in achieving sustainable economic growth and development.”
The Speaker stated that in every modern state, taxes are the bedrock of public revenue, providing the resources required to deliver education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
In the same vein, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu assured Nigerians that tax reform bills will undergo public scrutiny to allow citizens evaluate them and make input.
In his welcome remarks at the Interactive Session on Tax Reform Bills today in Abuja, Kalu emphasized the need for clear articulation of necessary provisions to ensure equity, economic growth, inclusivity and also the promotion of sustainable development for the nation.
Kalu added that the reforms should be rooted in the collective aspiration to create a tax regime that works for all Nigerians, regardless of their economic standing.
The Deputy Speaker however said that more insight into how the tax reforms incentivize the digital economy, support small businesses and low-income households, and more importantly, how the Zero-Rated Value Added Tax works or should work was expected from all the stakeholders.
Speaking further, Kalu added “In this regard, we expect more insight into how the tax reforms incentivize the Digital Economy, support small businesses and low-income households, and more importantly, how the Zero-Rated Value Added Tax works or should work.”
He further notes that I t is crucial for these provisions to be articulated clearly, highlighting how they align with the overarching goal of engendering equity, driving economic growth, and ensuring that no section of society is left behind.
News
INEC holds crucial meeting to look into petition recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Senate
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proceeded into a crucial meeting to study and look into a petition submitted to it by constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
CAPITAL POST gathered, it a top management meeting as it was claimed that over 250,000 constituents signed the petition out of 480,000 registered voters.
The meeting was confirmed on Monday by the Acting
Director of Publicity, Esther Chibuikem, stating that the meeting held at a committee room at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
It was also confirmed that the Secretary to the commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, on received the petition against Natasha on Monday.
The petition follwed the nod given by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja on Friday where the earlier judgement restraining INEC from accepting the petition was set asid3.
Last week, constituents from Kogi Central were said to have i initiated a recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, but some constituents claimed that they were d3ceived into exercise as they were told to gather with their voters card for 3 powerment.
However, the Court, in a judgement delivered in Lokoja, affirmed that the recall process is constitutionally valid and aligns with the civic rights of the constituents.
The court urged the constituents to continue exercising their rights in an orderly and peaceful manner.
The development was after the court on Thursday granted an interim injunction restraining INEC, its staff, agents, privies or assigns from receiving, accepting or acting on any petition containing signatures of members of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
As at press time, INEC hasn’t release information on the next action as signatures may have to be critically compared with its register to determine validity.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on Monday received a petition to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Uduaghan from the 10th Senate.
The petition was submitted by the constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District to recall Natasha having signed the petition which claimed to have met the requirements as stipulatedby the Constitution 1990 as amended.
Our correspondent who monitre the development at the Maitama headquarter of INEC report that th3 petition was submitted with over 250,000 signatures out of 480,000 registered voters.
The Constitution however required above 50% register3d voters’ recall signatures before it could be recognised and acceptable.
Senator Natasha is currently on suspension for six months for breaching Senate Rules and has proceeded to Court to challenge the Senate decision which was yet to determined.
She also alleged sexual harassment by the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio.
CAPITAL POST gathered that the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has highjacked the recall which is being pursued through proxies disguised as constituents in order to contest for the Senate if the exercise succeeds.
Palpable fear and tension has gripped the ancient city of Kano as Emirs Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Aminu Ado Bayero are both planning to feature the traditional Sallah Durbar festival.
The parallel plan has sent jitters down the spine of Kano residents amid uncertainty and possible violence as both are laying claims to the legitimacy of organizing Sallah Durbar.
Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero has already scheduled a Durbar festival, but Emir Sanusi II is kicking.
Our correspondent reports that both Emirs have mapped out line of events with the State Government backing Emir Lamido Sanusi II, while the Federal Government is backing Aminu Ado Bayero.
CAPITAL POST recalled the prolong emirship tussle in Court. The development is causing more confusion as both Emirs are laying claims to the throne.
In a letter signed by Bayero’s Private Secretary, Abdullahi Haruna Kwaru, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, the 15th Emir has notified the authorities of the plan and arrangements to conduct the traditional festival, including Hauwa Nasarawa and Daushe, to commemorate the end of Ramadan.
According to the schedule, Bayero’s festivities will feature Hawan Sallah, Hawan Daushe, and Hawan Nassarawa on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days of Shawwal 1446 AH, followed by a cultural event on the 4th day.
Kwaru noted that this year’s celebrations marked a significant milestone, coinciding with the Emir’s fifth anniversary on the throne of his forefathers.
“The purpose of this letter is to formally notify the security agencies in Kano State, particularly the Police Force, that this year’s Sallah events coincide with the five (5) years anniversary of His Highness on the throne of his forefathers, with the assurance that all activities will be conducted peacefully,” the letter read.
Kwaru expressed hope for a peaceful celebration and prayed for protection, good health, and harmony in society, adding that the Emir’s office sought the cooperation of security agencies to ensure a peaceful and successful celebration.
Incidentally, Bayero’s notice of the event emerged on social media soon after, the Kano State Government directed the four recognized emirates, under the leadership of Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 16th Emir of Kano, to commence full preparation for the Durbar festival.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf gave the directive while hosting the first and second-class emirs to a special Ramadan Iftar at the Government House, insisting that residents would not be denied the opportunity to relish the colorful traditional activities at the end of Ramadan.
The Kano Sallah Durbar festival is a famous tourist attraction that gathers visitors from within and outside Nigeria to witness the heritage of Hausa/Fulani culture at the Emir’s palace.
The Durbar features a colourful horse ride by the Emir, accompanied by district heads, traditional titleholders, and hundreds of their subjects, where they display ancient shows of strength and warrior traditions.
Besides the horse rides, the Sallah festival also witnesses the honour of homage by the Emir to the Government House (Hauwa Nassarawa) on the second day of Sallah, after the Governor would have paid a similar visit to the palace on Sallah day.
Coincidentally, while Governor Yusuf is scheduled to receive the homage of Muhammadu Sanusi and other second-class emirs at the Government House, The Guardian reliably gathered that Bayero would pay a similar visit to Federal Government delegations, including top members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from Kano, at a local venue yet to be unveiled.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Police Command in Kano, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, were unsuccessful as his phone line was reported to have been forwarded to another unknown line. However, the newly posted Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, upon his arrival, pledged to ensure the protection of lives and property.
INEC holds crucial meeting to look into petition recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Senate
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