Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 3rd December, 2024
1. ‘Stop Misinforming, Misleading The Pubic On Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills’ – Presidency Replies Zulum, Others
The presidency on Monday, shed more light on the tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu, with the proposal currently before the National Assembly.
A statement from the presidency explained that Tinubu proposed the reforms due to a need to streamline tax administration in Nigeria and make the operating environment conducive for businesses.
The statement, which was signed by the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also debunked insinuations that the bill proposes the scrapping of some government agencies including the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
It would be recalled that Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, had on Sunday claimed the bill proposes the scrapping of the aforementioned agencies, arguing that it is part of the reasons some of them are not in support of the proposed tax reforms.
However, Onanuga said nothing such exists in the bill. He also added that contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the bill is not designed to benefit Lagos and Rivers States in any special way, but is rather targeted at enhancing the quality of life of Nigerians.
The presidential aide assured that the bill is not designed to impoverish the North in any way.
He warned those without sufficient knowledge of the bill to desist from misinforming or misleading members of the public.
2. Speaker Abbas Slams LG Elections Across States As ‘Disgraceful’
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has condemned the conduct of local government elections across Nigerian states, calling them a “disgrace.”
Naturenex reports that Abbas made the remarks on Monday during a national dialogue on local government reform and constitutional amendments held in Abuja.
He expressed disappointment that, despite the intentions of the constitution’s framers to create an effective local government system, numerous challenges continue to hinder their effectiveness.
He highlighted issues such as inadequate funding, lack of autonomy, interference by other levels of government, and corruption, which have plagued local councils for years.
Abbas emphasized that the poor quality of local government elections, where ruling parties often dominate and sweep all positions, demonstrates a serious flaw in the democratic process.
He stressed the urgent need for reform, urging that local government elections be conducted with transparency, fairness, and integrity.
3. ‘Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills Have Over 200 Provisions That Can Fix Nigeria, Don’t Allow One Or Two Issues Cause Pain’ – Oyedele
The Chairman of the Presidential Tax Reform Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has called on Nigerians to support the tax reform proposals put together by President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, one or two issues regarding some grey areas in the bills should not be allowed to become a bottleneck for its implementation.
He disclosed that the bills have than 200 transformative provisions that can move Nigeria forward and urged the citizens to look on the bright side.
Naturenex reports Oyedele made the submission on Monday while featuring on a special Town Hall event on the Tax Reform Bills organized by Channels Television.
Part of the benefit that would accrue to Nigerians include exemption of low income earners completely from paying taxes and a reduction in the PAYE of middle income earners according to him.
The chairman of the Presidential Tax Reform Committee argued that these two alone would reduce the tax burden on Nigerians by 90 percent.
4. ‘Your Threat To Sack Workers Is Irresponsible, Unhelpful’ – NLC Blasts Ebonyi Governor, Nwifuru
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, over the threat to sack striking workers over the non-implementation of the N70,000 new minimum wage.
Naturenex reported that Nwifuru, while addressing journalists on Monday in his office at the new Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki, threatened to withhold the workers’ salaries and replace them after their dismissal.
The Governor said the state government does not owe any worker, stressing it has also approved ₦75,000 as minimum wage and has already started paying.
However, in a statement by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the labour body described the Nwifuru’s threat as irresponsible and urged state workers to intensify the strike.
The NLC noted that the Governor should invite the state’s labour leaders for dialogue to speed up the resolution of the minimum wage issue and not intimidate them with threats.
5. ‘There Is Nothing Wrong With Pursuing Tax Reform Bills’ – Peter Obi Backs Tinubu
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has backed the administration of President Bola Tinubu, over the tax reform bill, stating that it is a critical issue.
Naturenex reports that the four tax reform bills proposed by Tinubu are stoking anger in Northern Nigeria, with groups in the region demanding the suspension of passage of the legislation.
The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, also insisted that if the tax bills are passed into law, only Lagos and Rivers state will benefit.
However, a statement from the presidency explained that Tinubu proposed the reforms due to a need to streamline tax administration in Nigeria and make the operating environment conducive for businesses.
In a statement via X on Monday, Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State, stated that there is nothing wrong with pursuing the tax reform bills.
However, Peter Obi asserted that a public hearing on tax reform is essential for Nigerians from all walks of life to engage meaningfully.
According to Obi, the federal government must sensitize the masses and secure their buy-in for policy changes.
6. Legislators Are Speaking As If They Are Governors’ Spokespersons – Dogara Speaks On Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills
A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has faulted the stand of some federal legislators on the Tax Reform Bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu.
According to Dogara, some of the lawmakers are beclouded by sentiments and are beginning to sound like spokespersons of the state governors.
Speaking on Monday during a Special Town Hall on the Tax Reform Bills put together by Channels Television, the former Speaker charged Nigerians to critically but objectively review the bill.
He submitted that Nigerians need to put away regionalism, sectionalism and religion in evaluating the bill.
Dogara added that the arguments against the bills are not enough to throw the proposal out in its entirety, rather the focus should be on doing the right thing.
7. EFCC Records ‘Largest Ever’ Single Asset Recovery As Court Orders Forfeiture Of Abuja Estate
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully obtained the final forfeiture of a property situated in the federal capital territory (FCT) following a ruling on Monday by Judge Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court.
In a statement made available to newsmen, the spokesperson for the anti-corruption agency, Dele Oyewale, noted that the property spans 150,500 square meters and comprises 753 units of duplexes and various other apartments, marking it as the largest single asset recovered by the EFCC since its establishment in 2003.
The individual who forfeited the property was not mentioned, but Oyewale said it belonged to a “former top brass of the government”.
The spokesperson for the EFCC stated that the judge determined the respondent failed to provide sufficient justification for retaining the property in question.
Oyewale referenced Ola Olukoyede, the chair of the EFCC, who emphasized that asset recovery is essential in combating corruption economic and financial crimes, and serves as a significant deterrent to corrupt and fraudulent activities.
8. Most Of The Governors Complaining About Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills Are Lazy – Shinkafi
The Executive Director of Patriots for Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has declared total support for the tax reforms proposed by President Bola Tinubu.
He submitted that most Governors who are opposed to the tax reforms are lazy and unwilling to work to build the internally generated revenue of their states.
Shinkafi made the submission on Monday while speaking as a guest on Arise News.
He argued that most of those against the bill have not studied it, nor do they understand the content.
He further dismissed claims that the tax reforms are anti-north, clarifying that the new revenue-sharing formula prioritises performance-based allocation.
In defending the bills which are before the National Assembly, Shinkafi also defended the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the legislative session in which the bill was debated by the lawmakers.
He submitted that opposition to the bill is politically motivated and based on misinformation.
9. It Is Better To Have 774 LG Chairmen Who Are Thieves Than One Big Thief – Oshiomhole
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, has voiced strong support for the financial autonomy of local governments, describing it as a vital step toward grassroots development and governance.
Oshiomhole made these remarks during a forum on local government autonomy organized by the House of Representatives on Monday.
His comments come on the heels of the July 11, 2024, Supreme Court ruling, which upheld the financial independence of local governments.
The former governor of Edo State underscored the importance of financial autonomy in empowering local governments to fulfill their constitutional mandates.
He highlighted the significant responsibilities of local government chairmen, given their proximity to the people, and advised them to allocate resources wisely for essential infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, and other public services.
On a lighter note, Oshiomhole remarked, “It’s better to have 774 local government chairmen who are thieves than one big thief,” adding that with this every local government in Nigeria will produce one or two billionaires, rather than having just one billionaire in the state.
10. President Tinubu’s Diplomatic Shuttles Are Good – Senator Orji Uzor-Kalu
The Senator representing Abia North District, Orji Uzor-Kalu, has said President Bola Tinubu’s foreign trips are good for the country.
Orji Uzor-Kalu said investors can only come into the country through the President’s diplomatic shuttles.
He stated that it would also increase the country’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Speaking on Monday in an Arise TV interview, the former governor of Abia State explained that Nigerian investors would also, through the President’s foreign trips, take advantage of investment opportunities in the foreign nations.
Senator Uzor-Kalu further called for an amendment to the country’s electoral laws to give room for diaspora voting.
He emphasized the need for diasporas to have a say in who gets elected in the country through their vote.
