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Atiku Backs Suspension of new tax framework , following unconstitutional forgery

This constitutional violation exposes a troubling reality: a government obsessed with imposing ever-increasing tax burdens on impoverished Nigerians rather than creating conditions for prosperity.

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Atiku Abubakar, ex- Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007) has strengthened the public calls for the suspension of the Federal Government’s new tax laws following the discovery of illegal and unauthorized alterations made to document after passage by the National Assembly.

Atiku, in a statement he signed personally on Tuesday, asserted “What the National Assembly did not pass cannot become law.”

Atiku described the forgery of the tax law as “a brazen act of treason against the Nigerian people and a direct assault on our constitutional democracy.”

The statement reads: “This draconian overreach by the executive branch undermines the foundational principle of legislative supremacy in the making of laws.

It reveals a government more interested in extracting wealth from struggling citizens than empowering them to prosper.

The Unconstitutional Alterations

The following substantive changes were allegedly illegally inserted into the tax bills after parliamentary approval, in clear violation of Sections 4 and 58 of the 1999 Constitution:

1. New Coercive Powers Without Legislative Consent

*Arrest powers granted to tax authorities

*Property seizure and garnishment without court orders

*Enforcement sales conducted without judicial oversightThese provisions transform tax collectors into quasi-law enforcement agencies, stripping Nigerians of due process protections that the National Assembly deliberately included.

2. Increased Financial Burdens on Citizens*Mandatory 20% security deposit before appealing tax assessments*Compound interest on tax debts*Quart

erly reporting requirements with lowered thresholds

*Forced USD computation for petroleum operations

These changes erect barriers that prevent ordinary Nigerians from challenging unjust assessments while increasing compliance costs for businesses already struggling in a difficult economy.

3. Removal of Accountability Mechanisms

*Deletion of quarterly and annual reporting obligations to the National Assembly

*Elimination of strategic planning submission requirements

*Removal of ministerial supervisory provisions

By stripping away oversight mechanisms, the government has insulated itself from accountability while expanding its powers—a hallmark of authoritarian governance.

A Government Against Its People

This constitutional violation exposes a troubling reality: a government obsessed with imposing ever-increasing tax burdens on impoverished Nigerians rather than creating conditions for prosperity.

Instead of investing in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment that would expand the tax base organically, this administration chooses the path of aggressive extraction from an already struggling populace.

Nigeria’s poverty rate remains alarmingly high, unemployment continues to devastate families, and inflation erodes purchasing power daily.

Yet rather than supporting citizens to become more productive, thereby generating sustainable tax revenues, the government employs draconian measures to squeeze resources from people who have little left to survive.

True economic growth comes from empowering citizens, not impoverishing them further through punitive taxation and erosion of legal protections.

A thriving economy with prosperous citizens naturally generates robust tax revenues. But this requires vision, investment, and patience, qualities evidently lacking in an administration that resorts to constitutional manipulation to achieve short-term fiscal goals.

I hereby call upon:1. The Executive to immediately suspend the implementation of the tax law effective January 1, 2026 to give room for a proper investigation.

2. The National Assembly to immediately rectify these illegal alterations through proper legislative processes and hold accountable those responsible for this constitutional breach.

3. The Judiciary to strike down these unconstitutional provisions and reaffirm the sanctity of the legislative process.

4. Civil Society and all Nigerians to reject this assault on democratic principles and demand governance that serves the people rather than exploiting them.

5. The Government to abandon this path of extraction and oppression, and instead focus on policies that enable Nigerian citizens and businesses to thrive.

6. The EFCC to immediately investigate and prosecute those found culpable in the illegal alteration of our laws to extort and defraud the Nigerian people.

What the National Assembly did not pass cannot become law.

This fundamental principle must be defended, or we risk descending into arbitrary rule where constitutional safeguards mean nothing.

The Nigerian people deserve better than a government that circumvents democracy to impose hardship.

We demand accountability, constitutional compliance, and economic policies that build prosperity rather than deepen poverty.”

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Akwa Ibom APC Adopts Governor Umo Eno for Second Term Bid

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has thrown its weight behind Governor Umo Eno as its candidate for the 2027 governorship election, paving the way for his second-term ambition under the ruling party.

Governor Eno, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in 2025, formally submitted his nomination and expression of interest forms for the APC governorship primaries in early May 2026. He described the second term as necessary to complete ongoing projects and consolidate the gains of his ARISE Agenda.

Speaking after submitting the forms in Abuja, Governor Eno called on APC members to support his nomination during the primaries, expressing confidence that his administration’s developmental strides would earn him the party’s backing and the people’s mandate.

“I have just submitted the nomination form. We call on members of APC to support our nomination during the primaries, as we will continue to pray and trust God for more development to thrive in the state,” he said.

Several APC stakeholders and local government chapters in the state have already endorsed Governor Eno’s second-term bid, describing it as a move for continuity and project completion. The governor has repeatedly highlighted numerous ongoing infrastructure and developmental initiatives that require additional time to deliver maximum impact.

The development marks a significant political realignment in Akwa Ibom, as Eno positions the state under the APC platform ahead of the 2027 elections.

Party sources indicate that the APC leadership is working towards a smooth process for the governor’s emergence as the party’s flag bearer, though the formal primaries are yet to be held.

Governor Eno was first elected in 2023 under the PDP before switching to the APC.

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Lagos Captures 6.4 Million Residents in Major Digital Identity Drive

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The Lagos State Government has successfully registered over 6.4 million residents into its digital identity database, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to enhance governance, planning, and public service delivery.

The achievement was announced under the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) and the Lagos Identity Card Project (LAG ID). According to officials, the initiative aims to create a comprehensive, reliable database of residents to improve targeted service delivery, urban planning, and overall governance efficiency.

Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Olatunbosun Alake, who provided the update, described the Lagos Identity Card Project as a critical tool for the state’s digital transformation agenda. He emphasized that the captured data will support better resource allocation and more effective delivery of government services.

The exercise forms part of Lagos State’s broader push toward a digital economy, enabling smoother access to services such as healthcare, social welfare, transportation, and other citizen-centric programmes. Officials noted that the database will help in accurate planning for infrastructure and social interventions.

With Lagos being Nigeria’s most populous state, estimated to have over 20 million residents, the registration of 6.4 million people represents a substantial step forward, though authorities say efforts are ongoing to capture more residents.

The state government has reiterated its commitment to data-driven governance and urged residents yet to register to take advantage of the ongoing exercise for better inclusion in government services.

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EFCC Invasion Forces Uni. Uyo Teaching Hospital to Suspend Operations (Video)

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Operations at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) were dramatically disrupted on Wednesday after operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) allegedly invaded the facility, detained some management staff, and assaulted others, prompting the hospital to suspend services.

The Chief Medical Director of UUTH, Dr. Emem Bassey, told journalists that the unannounced raid created a hostile environment, forcing the hospital management to halt clinical services to ensure the safety of both staff and patients. The Accident and Emergency Unit, however, remains operational.

Dr. Bassey expressed disappointment over the incident, noting that the hospital had maintained cordial relations with the EFCC and was fully cooperating on the matter under investigation. He revealed that the requested report had already been prepared and was awaiting his signature when the operatives arrived.

“The use of force and detention of staff was unnecessary,” Dr. Bassey said. “Dialogue would have resolved this issue peacefully.”

Professor Eyo Ekpe, Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council, who was reportedly among those assaulted, described the EFCC’s action as an “unprovoked invasion.” He claimed he had shown the team leader the completed report before the situation escalated into violence.

The hospital management has called for an independent investigation into the incident and urged the EFCC to use proper channels when engaging with public institutions.

In an earlier statement, the EFCC said its operatives were attacked and trapped inside the hospital while conducting an operation linked to an ongoing fraud investigation. The case reportedly involves a suspect accused of defrauding multiple microfinance banks in Akwa Ibom State.

The development has raised concerns about the impact on healthcare delivery in the region, with patients and staff caught in the middle of the confrontation between the anti-graft agency and the hospital.

As of Thursday, normal services at the hospital remained suspended pending further resolution.

Watch Video below:

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