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House softens stance on Tax Reform Bills
The House of Representatives has softened its stance on the Tax Reform Bills.
Yesterday, after a three-hour generally positive debate by members, the Bills scaled second reading and passed for public hearing.
This is unlike the situation when the Bills were sent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Green Chamber in October.
Following opposition from a section of the ruling class, the House exploded in uproar over the Bills, forcing Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to dissolve the House into and Executive session after which all issues on the Bills were kept in ambiance to allow for consultations.
But at the Senate, the Bills were quickly debated and moved to the public hearing stage.
The Bills are the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
The bills were consolidated into one at the House for a seamless debate.
The proposed laws were read for the first time on October 8 but debate by the House was put on hold due to disagreement on the content of the bill, especially by Northern leaders and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
Although the House engaged government officials on the benefits of the bills, Speaker Tajudeen asked members to engage in wide consultations with their constituents to pave the way for a robust debate.
Apart from some observations on certain areas of the bills that appeared not in tandem with some sections of the 1999 Constitution and a few other clauses, members unanimously okayed the bills for a second reading.
Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda said while opposition members supported the spirit behind the bills, some had issues with certain aspects.
Chinda noted that the bills seek to rejig the nation’s tax system for effective revenue generation. He pointed out that for every law, there must be the spirit of the letters.
He said: “We have all agreed that the spirit behind the four bills is good.‘’
But we have issues with some of the letters of the bills. Why we oppose some letters of the bills, we support the spirit and want to assure Nigerians that we will watch those letters and at the appropriate time, we will ensure that the letters are corrected in the interest of Nigerians.
“He advocated a reduction in the Value Added Tax(VAT), saying ‘’It is possible to reduce tax, while efforts should be made to tidy up all areas of conflicts..’’
House Leader Julius Ihonvbere thereafter set the tone for the debate by explaining that the bills were intended to overhaul the country’s outdated tax laws.
Ihonvbere reassured the public that the reforms would benefit ordinary Nigerians without imposing tax burdens on the poor.
While appreciating those who hold opposing views to the bills, he said their views helped strengthen the bills.
The House leader charged members to “be part of history in reforming the tax system to promote revenue growth, increase employment and better the life of ordinary Nigerians.
Minority Whip, Ali Isa commended Speaker Abass for creating an opportunity for members to engage and consult widely on the contentious parts of the bills.
Isa however expressed concern about clause 146 which encourages a gradual increase in VAT from 7.5 percent to 10 percent and later 15 percent.
News
FG slams 8-count charges on Adeyemi over fake agency ” I’m not a criminal”, he defends
It was learned that the alleged ‘‘fake’’ Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was allocated N1.302 billion in the 2026 Budget of the Federal Government.
Photo: Gbajabiamila, and Adeyemi
The Federal Government has filed an 8-count charges against Adeniyi Adeyemi, convener of a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, over the controversy trailing the agency.
Adeyemi, however, fought back claiming that he was given an appointment letter.
Adeyemi, during an appearance on Channels Television claimed that the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila gave him an appointment letter, insisting that he is not a criminal.
However, it was learned that the alleged ‘‘fake’’ Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was allocated N1.302 billion in the 2026 Budget of the Federal Government.
In a statement on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said the charges were filed by the Police on November 27, 2025, against Adeyemi and two accomplices at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Onanuga said Adeyemi is expected to appear in court on July 27, 2026.
News
NDC calls for Gbajabiamila sack over fake agency scandal
The NDC has referenced Adeyemi’s allegations that he paid N600 million to secure his appointment, with N400 million allegedly paid through intermediaries linked to the Chief of Staff while an outstanding balance of N200 million reportedly contributed to the current dispute over the agency’s status.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) agency involving one Prince Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the agency .
In a statement signed on Friday by NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party urged President Tinubu to suspend the Chief of Staff to allow for what it described as a transparent and unbiased investigation into the allegations.
The NDC’s demand is sequel to claims made by Adeyemi, who identified himself as the Director-General of the alleged PFIPC, an agency the Presidency has maintained does not exist.
According to the party, the allegations raise serious concerns over transparency and accountability within the current administration. It questioned how the purported agency allegedly secured budgetary allocations in the 2026 Appropriation Act and reportedly operated domiciliary, Pounds Sterling and Treasury Single Account (TSA) accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria despite being disowned by the Presidency.
The party also queried claims that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation allegedly approved 314 staff positions for the agency, asking how such approvals could have been granted if the organisation was not officially recognised.
The NDC has referenced Adeyemi’s allegations that he paid N600 million to secure his appointment, with N400 million allegedly paid through intermediaries linked to the Chief of Staff while an outstanding balance of N200 million reportedly contributed to the current dispute over the agency’s status.
News
US ends military operations in Nigeria, withdraws 200 soldiers
Anderson emphasised that the specific mission that required the deployment of US troops has been completed, prompting the withdrawal of most personnel.
Photo: General Dagvin R.M. Anderson
The United States has withdrawn the majority of its military personnel deployed to Nigeria for a joint counterterrorism mission in the Lake Chad Basin, while maintaining intelligence sharing and other security cooperation with Nigerian authorities.
The United States deployed about 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to assist with intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin as both countries expanded cooperation against ISIS and other extremist groups operating in the region.
Commander of US Air Forces in Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, announced the development during a virtual press briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026.
He said the partnership between Washington and Abuja remained active, particularly in intelligence operations targeting the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh).
Anderson emphasised that the specific mission that required the deployment of US troops has been completed, prompting the withdrawal of most personnel.
However, he noted that the United States would continue providing intelligence assistance at the request of the Nigerian government.
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