FEATURES

I Made Myself A Fool For Obaseki – Philip Shaibu

AFOLABI

Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu has revealed that he was foolishly loyal to former Governor Godwin Obaseki just to make the administration succeed.

Speaking in an interview with Sunday Sun, Shaibu, a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), said all the actions he took while in office were based on principles rather than materialistic position.

The former House of Representatives member pointed out that even when his relationship with Obaseki was not so cordial, he continued to play a fool.

He stated that despite being denied benefits of his office, he still backed Obaseki’s re-election bid.

Philip Shaibu said: “What people see outside is different from what is inside. You see, it is like a marriage. It is either the wife makes it work or the husband makes it work. One has to be a fool for a relationship to be able to flourish. So, in Obaseki’s government, I was the fool. I made myself a fool in his government to make the thing work. Because immediately Comrade told me during that budget saga that I don’t have a say, I am subject to what Obaseki says, at that level, I told myself, okay, no problem, I will be a fool for this man. But I will come out not to be a fool at the end of the day. So, I started planning myself from that day. I said, well, I will make sure loyalty will be 100 per cent, I will be foolishly loyal. I told myself that I will be foolishly loyal. And truly, I was foolishly loyal because of what was said from day one. So, at the end of the day, everybody said ah, Philip is loyal, Philip is loyal. I was actually loyal, foolishly loyal. And when I say loyal, loyal, and I mean it.

“This is my house. There is no one thing in eight years that I bought extra in this house. No one thing that I would say is a new thing that I bought in this house since I became deputy governor. That was how foolish I was. I was limited to my overhead and salaries, nothing more. And that is why the committee of the new governor has completed their assignment. You won’t see my name in any transaction in government or my proxy in any transaction in government. I purposely stayed away from any financial transaction apart from my overhead and salary in government. That was how foolish I was to the extent that even my official vehicle, I didn’t have an official vehicle. The car I used for three years, first three years as deputy governor, was the car that I bought with my car loan as a member of House of Reps. The Land Cruiser that had the flag with the crest of deputy governor was the one I bought when I was a member of House of Reps. I bought an armoured Land Cruiser because I had to be travelling by road to my constituency from there. That car was just six months old when I became deputy governor. So, when the government was not buying vehicles and everything, I had to ask them to take the car from Abuja here to Benin and they put the flag and put the… nobody knew. Then the car my security was using, it was the car that both Imasuen and Odubu’s wives used. The lady mechanic is alive, I had to go and tow them, she came to the Deputy Governor’s lodge and towed those vehicles to her workshop and fixed them. Some of them, we had to change engine and gear box; some of them, we had to cut the head and put another head. She was able to use her skill to bring them back to life, to keep the convoy of the Deputy Governor. And that was how the Hiluxes I used, two of them, the ones I already abandoned that I used as a Majority Leader, we had to go and buy engine for two of them, fix them, then the one I was using in the House of Reps, I bought another one when we were campaigning. Those four were the Hilux vehicles I used in my first term as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.

“So, in the midst of that, I still supported him to come back because for me, I believe he was entitled to second term. And I didn’t want anything to distort the flow – Edo North just got eight years, a Benin man coming would now want to…, so on principle, I did what I did. If it was based on materialism, I should have been on Oshiomhole’s side to have my pound of flesh for not even allowing me to access my entitlements.

“In my eight years, I never accessed medical allowance. I never accessed furniture allowance, I never accessed even the 22 days or 28 days they call it, first term and second term, I never enjoyed it. In eight years, both my family and I, none of us. Thank God for good health. None of us accessed any medical… And these are constitutional rights, it is not privilege. It is supposed to be part of my earnings, but I told you, I was living in my house, I was not living in Government House. In Benin, I stayed in my house for eight years.”

Ikeja Electric Attack May Have Official Approval As Fear Grips Military Over Bombs At Lagos Air Force Base

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Concerns are mounting over the safety of high-caliber weapons and explosives stored at the Lagos Air Force Base, following the facility’s continued disconnection from electricity by the distribution company responsible for the area.

The presence of these munitions near the densely populated Ikeja area of Lagos has heightened public anxiety, especially as the base has been without power for over 16 days. Efforts to resolve the reported ₦4 billion debt allegedly owed to Ikeja Electric Company by the Nigerian Air Force have so far failed.

Tensions escalated when armed military personnel reportedly stormed and vandalized the corporate headquarters and Oshodi office of Ikeja Electric. The personnel allegedly held staff, visitors, and journalists hostage for hours, subjected them to torture, and seized their personal belongings. It was further gathered that some staff members were taken away, while about 40 official vehicles belonging to the company were forcefully moved to the Air Force base.

By Friday, top officials of the power company had met with senior Air Force officers and Lagos State government officials at Alausa, where key resolutions were made to restore normalcy and address the outstanding issues. However, as of yesterday, power had yet to be restored to the base, further intensifying fears of a possible explosion involving the stored weapons.

A military source speaking to Sunday Vanguard warned that continued darkness could have catastrophic consequences.

The source said: “We have been managing solar and generators since the blackout started, but they are not enough to power the cooling systems in the warehouse where the bombs and missiles are stored. Worse still, the cost of running generators is taking a toll, and if the heat becomes unbearable, there must be an explosion.

“There are 150, 200, 250, and 500 kg highly explosive bombs stored in the base. If an explosion occurs, the destruction would be worse than the last bomb explosion in Ikeja years ago, with devastating effects across Lagos and neighboring states.”

The source further revealed that the base houses a Beloga bomb, which contains 151 bomblets, each capable of being propelled up to 500 kilometers, with the potential to destroy houses and properties within a 1,000-kilometer radius.

Additionally, the base reportedly holds 250 Pre-Frag bombs, which, if launched up to 250 kilometers, could cause destruction within a 500-kilometer radius with a shattering effect. The 250 low-drag incendiary bomb, if propelled to 500 kilometers, could also cause massive destruction within the same range, with the added effect of fire.

Regarding the alleged debt, the source clarified that the Air Force has been making regular payments.

“That ₦4 billion debt dates back to the base’s inception on April 14, 1964. We have been paying ₦60 million every month through meter account number 100069855. ₦4,200 is deducted from the salaries of Flight officers monthly to cover electricity bills, while payments for junior officers are deducted directly.

“We have done our best, but the outstanding debt has accumulated over the years. The issue should be resolved by the appropriate authorities, rather than making those who have consistently paid bear the brunt,” the source said.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that some military personnel, aware of the potential risks posed by the prolonged blackout, are considering relocating their families outside Lagos.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the Nigerian Air Force were unsuccessful. However, a source claimed that the issue had been resolved following the meeting in Alausa, but warned that as long as the power outage continues, the risk of a disaster remains high.

The attack on Ikeja Electric’s facilities on Thursday has further fueled tensions, with some sources suggesting that the action may have had official backing.

[NaijaNews]

Anambra: Soludo Bans Loud Preaching In Public, Imposes N500k Fine

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Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has warned preachers against using loudspeakers in public spaces, particularly markets, accusing them of causing noise pollution and disturbing residents.

Soludo stated that anyone caught violating the noise pollution order would face a N500,000 fine.

A viral video circulating on social media on Saturday showed the governor warning an unidentified roadside preacher at a market to stop disrupting traders with his preaching.

He advised the preacher to either preach in a church or rent an open field, adding that those interested in listening would seek him out there.

Addressing traders at a market, the governor said, “If you want to preach the word of God, go to your church. You are causing noise pollution here. You cannot come to a marketplace and disturb everyone.

“If you want to preach, go to a church. Those who want to listen will come to you; you cannot force people in the market to hear your message.

“This is a marketplace, not a church. You are violating the law. You cannot take over a public space and turn it into a church. Otherwise, you will be charged for using this space.

“You will pay ?500,000 because we cannot allow this. We have banned loudspeakers in markets due to noise pollution, which affects people’s eardrums. You cannot force people to listen to your preaching. We are cracking down on fake pastors and prophets in Anambra.”

[DailyTrust]

War: Ukraine wants peace from day one – Zelenskyy says ahead of Saudi talks

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has said that his country is “fully committed” to having a constructive dialogue with US representatives in Saudi Arabia.

The meeting is scheduled to hold next week as countries seek ways to end the war with Russia.

Zelenskyy said on Saturday that “Ukraine has been seeking peace from the very first second of this war. Realistic proposals are on the table.”

“The key is to move quickly and effectively,” the Ukrainian president wrote on X.

Zelenskyy said he was going to Saudi Arabia next week, adding that after his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, his country’s diplomatic and military representatives would stay for a meeting on Tuesday with the US team.

He added, “On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps.”

Foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and the defence minister, Rustem Umerov, will lead Ukrainian delegation to the high profile meeting.

DAILY POST reported that President Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump and US Vice president, JD Vance at the Oval Office a week ago.

However, the meeting did not end on a good note as both parties confirmed. Since then, the Ukrainian leader has been seeking ways to mend things with the US.

[DailyPost]

Plateau IGR hits N30b in 2024, as Mutfwang sets N52b target for 2025

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The chairman, Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS), Dr. Jim Pam Wayas, said the state raked in N31.14 billion in 2024, the first in the history of the state.

Pam said this is in contrast to the N25.8 billion made in 2023.

Speaking to reporters in his office on Friday, Pam said the service has also received a tall order from Governor Caleb Mutfwang to increase the revenue to N52 billion 2025.

He said the service is however starting on a good footing, as it already collected N3.3 billion in January compared to N1.6 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Pam said the service was able to achieve this through improved revenue collection by bringing more tax payers into the tax net and blocking leakages in the revenue system.

He said, “In 2023, we were able to jack the revenue to N25.8 billion from somewhere around N15.8 billion in the preceding year. But as at close of business last year, the revenue closed at N31.14 billion.

“And that’s the first time the Plateau State has hit the benchmark of above N30 billion in revenue generation. However, there’s hope that we need to start 2025 on a tall order because even the state government has given us a total revenue target of N52 billion in 2025.

“But we started 2025 on a strong footing. As at January, we collected about N3.3 billion, which is not even the highest that we ever collected in any given month, but I think compared to last year, by January, we did about N1.6 billion.

“That shows significant improvement in revenue generation.

Pam said though the state had witnessed an increase in internally generated revenue, it’s federally allocated revenue had for the past six months come with a minus, owing to foreign debts that the state had incurred in the past and fluctuations in rate of foreign exchange.

[TheNation]

US takes supremacy rivalry with China to high seas

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The United States may still have the world’s most powerful navy but it seems to have realised that this is no longer sufficient to reassert US supremacy over the high seas.

If President Donald Trump’s pronouncements on shipbuilding, the Panama Canal and Greenland are anything to go by, he wants to increase US sea power on several fronts – just as China is already doing.

Beijing’s expanding influence on the world’s oceans is a challenge to Washington’s efforts to protect its interests.

While the United States still dominates the seas militarily, it is weaker in other maritime sectors, such as merchant shipping and shipbuilding itself, analysts told AFP.

Trump told the US Congress last week that his administration would “resurrect” the country’s nautical construction industry “including commercial shipbuilding and military shipbuilding”.

On China, he has complained that Beijing “controls” the Panama Canal and has refused to rule out military force to wrest control of a vital strategic asset.

The president has been equally blunt about wanting to take over Greenland, a Danish territory whose untapped mineral and oil reserves he covets.

And he wants to tax any Chinese vessel that docks in US ports.

Researcher Sophie Quintin, of Portsmouth University in the UK, said Trump’s approach smacked of a return to “navalism” — a theory stressing the importance of sea power espoused by 19th-century US naval officer Alfred Mahan.

On the other hand, Trump might just be appealing to his populist voter base, the Make America Great Again (MAGA) faithful.

“It’s difficult to know if it’s the fruit of a real strategic reflection,” said Alessio Patalano, a specialist in maritime strategy at King’s College, London.

“In the end, it doesn’t matter. Serving the interests of MAGA voters by restarting naval shipyards or taxing Chinese boats leads to a navalist policy.”

– Chinese sea power –

In any case, China understands the importance of sea power, said Nick Childs of Britain’s International Institute for Strategic Studies.

At a Paris conference last month, Childs pointed to China’s rapid expansion in maritime sectors other than its own navy.

“There are the investments we’ve been hearing about in global ports, global maritime infrastructure and the weaponising of the fishing fleet,” he said.

Washington is concerned by the expansion of Chinese shipping companies, which they see as serving the interests of the Beijing government.

“Beijing’s economic control of port operations at strategic chokepoints across the world — many of which are part of the Maritime Silk Road initiative — pose a threat to the United States and its allies,” opined US think tank the Jamestown Foundation in February.

It cited in particular two state-owned firms, COSCO and China Merchant Ports.

Beijing could also exert “significant influence” on a third, the privately owned Hutchison Port Holdings, which controls two ports on the Panama Canal, it said.

But Paul Tourret, of France’s Higher Institute of Maritime Economics (ISEMAR), cautioned against too “simplistic” a reading of China’s maritime policy.

“COSCO, for example, follows a financial logic. It merely delivers to the United States the goods that Americans consume,” he said.

Nevertheless, pressure from Washington seems to have had some effect.

Hutchison announced last week it had agreed to sell its lucrative Panama Canal ports to a US-led consortium, although it insisted this was a “purely commercial” decision.

– Gaps in US presence –

While the United States may have the world’s most powerful navy, its merchant fleet is not in such good shape, said Quintin.

“US shipping companies have significantly declined and what remains of its commercial fleet is ageing,” she said.

“That has repercussions for its strategic fleet,” she added, referring to civilian ships used for military transport.

“Furthermore, the shipbuilding sector is in crisis.”

Tourret agreed: “There’s no way the US can build ships quickly.”

“The problem with US shipbuilding is that they don’t have the know-how of the Japanese and Koreans, and they don’t have the scale of the Chinese, who churn ships out like biscuits,” added Patalano.

“When Europe is one year behind on a military programme, the US is three or four years late,” said a European industry source on condition of anonymity.

Trump’s avowed desire to seize control of Greenland and Canada can also be viewed as a bid to regain US dominance over the seas.

Global heating is melting Arctic ice at an alarming rate, endangering natural ecosystems and contributing to further climate change.

But that melting could also open up the region to vessels – both commercial and military – and to oil and mineral exploration.

Those prospects have not been lost on China, Russia or the United States.

“The Arctic space will become increasingly important for power projection, especially for missile-launching submarines,” said Patalano, who sees these as “an essential component of deterrence”.

Here again, “the United States is lagging behind”, said Quintin.

“While China is capable of deploying three icebreakers, the US Coast Guard struggles to keep its two ageing vessels in service,” she said.

AFP

Tinubu Tax: NLC, Afenifere, ACF, Ohanaeze, 196 others flood NASS with memoranda

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The Federal Government’s ambitious effort to overhaul the nation’s tax laws has moved a step closer to reality following the submission of over 200 memoranda by diverse stakeholders to the Senate and House of Representatives.

The National Assembly’s public hearings, which saw the participation of various interest groups, marked a pivotal moment in the country’s quest to reform its tax system.

Held to discuss the proposed tax reforms, the public hearing attracted contributions from a broad spectrum of individuals and organizations.

These included government agencies, private sector players, civil society groups, and tax professionals, all offering their perspectives on how to reshape the country’s tax framework.

A primary focus of the discussions was on striking a balance between fostering economic growth, improving revenue generation, and addressing the concerns of citizens and businesses alike.

Diverse Stakeholder Voices

The hearings revealed a range of opinions on the tax reform bills, with many stakeholders providing constructive feedback aimed at improving the proposals. In total, the House of Representatives alone received 54 memoranda, underscoring the wide-reaching interest and varying perspectives on the issue.

The bills, which aim to modernize the country’s tax laws, have sparked both support and opposition.

While government representatives and economists emphasized that the reforms would help reduce the budget deficit, improve tax compliance, and streamline collection processes, critics raised concerns about the potential negative effects on small businesses and middle-class citizens.

The proposed adjustments to the Value Added Tax (VAT) and income tax brackets were particularly contentious, with some arguing that these changes might place undue strain on vulnerable sectors of the economy.

Balancing Act between Growth and Fairness

The hearings spotlighted some key issues, including how to expand the tax base without increasing rates or overburdening individuals and businesses.

Stakeholders such as the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) advocated for a simplified tax system to ease compliance, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

They also called for lower corporate taxes to boost investment and job creation.

Similarly, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) highlighted the need to incentivize local production, urging the government to avoid increasing taxes on raw materials and other inputs, which could lead to higher production costs and stifle local industries.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), representing workers, voiced concerns about the potential impact of the reforms on low-income earners.

It called for a progressive tax system that ensures higher-income individuals and corporations shoulder a larger share of the tax burden, protecting ordinary workers from additional financial strain.

Civil Society and Sector-Specific Interests

Several civil society organizations (CSOs), including Tax Justice Network Africa, underscored the importance of greater transparency and accountability within the tax system.

They also called for stronger measures to combat tax evasion, particularly among multinational corporations, and for the assurance that tax revenues would be channeled into social development programs.

Representatives from the oil and gas sector expressed concerns about the impact of the reforms on their operations, emphasizing the need for stable, predictable tax policies to remain competitive in the global market. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) focused on the importance of clarity in the legal framework surrounding the proposed changes to avoid confusion and potential legal disputes.

Other stakeholders, including the Alumni Association of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative, the Centre for African Policy Research Advisory, and Project Sprint, also made significant contributions.

While the Legislative Mentorship Initiative praised the reforms as a strategic blueprint for the nation’s economic future, it urged policymakers to consider the reforms’ impact on vulnerable populations.

The Centre for African Policy Research Advisory stressed the need for Nigerians to have a say in the implementation process, while Project Sprint raised concerns about the potential impact of the VAT adjustments on economic activity and labor supply.

What Lies Ahead?

As the National Assembly reviews the memoranda and carefully weighs the feedback from various stakeholders, the proposed tax reforms remain a work in progress.

The aim is to pass legislation later this year that will overhaul the country’s tax system to promote economic growth, reduce inequality, and increase government revenue.

Although there is broad consensus on the necessity of tax reforms, the specifics of how these reforms should be implemented remain a source of debate.

Lawmakers are tasked with navigating these differing views and balancing the concerns of multiple groups to create a tax system that is equitable, sustainable, and growth-friendly.

With key decisions still to be made, all eyes are now on the National Assembly as it works to craft tax policies that will shape the country’s economic future. How policymakers choose to reconcile the diverse interests and perspectives will ultimately determine the success of the tax reforms.

In the coming months, as deliberations continue, stakeholders are hopeful that the final reform package will meet the needs of both businesses and individuals, while also positioning Nigeria for greater economic stability and growth.

[Vanguard]

Opposition Parties Warns Tinubu Against Overconfidence In APC Endorsement

AFOLABI

Major opposition parties have warned President Bola Tinubu not to be swayed by the recent vote of confidence he received from governors and top figures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

In separate interviews with Sunday Punch, opposition parties argued that such endorsement was mere political theatrics and would not influence Nigerians, many of whom are still grappling with the effects of Tinubu’s economic reforms.

Naija News reports that the APC NEC passed a vote of confidence on Tinubu last Wednesday, with former national chairman, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, seconding the motion for Tinubu’s second-term endorsement.

Oshiomhole based his conviction on the President’s economic policies, which he claimed were beginning to yield results.

PDP: APC’s NEC Endorsement Is A ‘Sham’

Reacting to the endorsement, the Deputy Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ibrahim Abdullahi, described the APC NEC as a “sham” arrangement, insisting that the ruling party is in deep crisis.

“There is no need to waste one’s time responding to any believer in the APC as presently constituted, not to talk of their NEC that was a sham. How many followers of APC or critical stakeholders were even in attendance?” Abdullahi questioned.

He further claimed that many key APC members had lost faith in the party, following the “atrocious” eight years of Buhari and the “demonic” two years of Tinubu.

“The cumulative 10 years of suffering under the APC has been harsh on Nigerians, and there is no way they will contemplate voting for the APC again in 2027. In the first place, they were not truly elected in 2023. We all know how they got power at all costs,” he added.

Labour Party: APC Focused On Power, Not Governance

The Labour Party (LP) also dismissed the APC’s confidence in securing victory in 2027, saying it was too early to predict the outcome of the election.

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, criticised Tinubu for focusing on re-election rather than fixing the economy.

“The APC only has one candidate—the President—so they have no choice but to begin to echo his chances. But we, as an opposition party, would rather wait for INEC to come up with their proposals before we start discussing 2027,” Ifoh stated.

He argued that the APC should focus on governance rather than electioneering, saying the endorsement was premature.

“This government has not even reached two years in office. How can they start talking about 2027 when they have yet to fulfil the 2023 mandate? It just shows the APC is about grabbing power, not improving the lives of Nigerians. People are still suffering, and things are getting worse,” he added.

Ifoh also called on INEC to caution political parties against premature election campaigns.

APC: Tinubu’s Fate Lies In Voters’ Hands

Responding to the opposition’s remarks, APC Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Duru, dismissed their criticisms, insisting that Tinubu’s re-election bid would be determined by his achievements.

“It is our scorecard that we will present to Nigerians. The opposition cannot decide whether the President should return in 2027—that is the job of the voters.”

Duru further stated that the APC’s track record would be the basis for judgment, not criticisms from “disillusioned political elements.”

“At the end of the day, we will present our achievements, and Nigerians will judge us. No one individual can dictate electoral behaviour,” he said.

Spiritual Battle: Sowore, Popular Prophet To Test Miracle In Port-Harcourt Hospital

AFOLABI

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and Prophet Umueke Miracle, leader of the Dynamic Flame of Fire and Miracle Ministries in Port Harcourt, have agreed to a live demonstration of miracles following a heated debate on the authenticity of supernatural healings.

Sowore, in a recent interview, dismissed claims of miraculous healings by Nigerian pastors, arguing that many of their so-called wonders were staged to exploit followers.

Naija News reports that he alleged that his father, who suffered a stroke, experienced a “fake miracle” when taken to a church for healing.

“All of us know that all these religious people are fake. I have never seen a church that made a cripple walk before. The church has never made any blind person see. Forget about all these big churches lying to you,” he said.

Sowore further asserted that religion thrives in Nigeria due to the government’s failure to provide basic needs, making people rely on faith for survival.

“The truth is that religion is thriving in our society because the government does not exist. Otherwise, if we had great governance today in this country, your prayer points would change.”

In response, Prophet Miracle denounced Sowore’s remarks as an attack on the Christian faith, insisting that miracles are real and undeniable.

Addressing his congregation, the pastor challenged Sowore to bring a stroke patient to his church for healing, vowing to shut down his ministry if he failed.

He said: “I challenge Sowore to bring someone who has had a stroke. But before he brings the person, let them take the person to the hospital to confirm that the person has had a stroke.

“If I pray and the person stands up and walks, forever until he dies, let him (Sowore) never speak again or pursue his dream of becoming Nigeria’s president. But if I cannot heal the person, let me close this church until Jesus comes.”

The cleric further set an April 4 deadline for Sowore to present a patient for healing, insisting that the demonstration should be conducted live on television for the world to see.

Sowore has accepted the challenge, but with a condition—he wants Prophet Miracle to visit the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) stroke ward and heal patients there.

In a Facebook post, Sowore said: “I have accepted the challenge and would ask the pastor to move his ministry to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital stroke ward, particularly the comprehensive stroke care centre, and clear out the place. My reason is that those in that ward are certified sick and need urgent healing.

“There is no need for a back-and-forth. I will be watching his (Prophet Miracle’s) live stream tomorrow to publicise his healing prowess from that ward.”

When contacted for a response to Sowore’s counter-challenge, a church member, identified as David, told Sunday PUNCH that Prophet Miracle was unavailable for comments.

Lagos Assembly is a private enterprise, the owner hires, fires at will —Bode George

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Former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, in this interview by BOLA BADMUS speaks on the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly and the reinstatement of sacked Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa as its Speaker following the resignation of Mojisola Meranda from the position.

You recently described the reinstatement of Mudashiru Obasa as the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly as “an embarrassment.” But some other people will argue that it is democracy in action because he was re-elected by his colleagues.

Did they re-elect him? Did they sit to say okay, they wanted a new speaker? Did they remove Meranda as the incumbent Speaker? There are procedures to these things.

But Meranda resigned as the Speaker and therefore paved the way for Obasa to return to his former position.

And so they now returned him? If they are deceiving themselves, they cannot deceive the general public. If you are the leader of a party and the party was going to go through a procedure, and they accused the Speaker of a lot of inappropriate activities – financial and otherwise – shouldn’t you even address those issues? Since he didn’t do it, there is no need for Obasa to respond to the allegations levelled against him. The same people came back and reinstated or re-elected him. It is an indecent approach to what democracy is all about.

If you were accused of certain misdemeanor openly and people went through a process by which they said enough of you, if you want to come back, you know you will have to defend yourself first. It’s already in the public domain but there was an order that he should be reinstated since it is a private enterprise. Do you return people like that in a democratic dispensation to override whatever others had been saying? Is it that those Assembly members didn’t know what they had been talking about before they removed Obasa, or they are absolutely acting like a military organisation? When I look at it on the political side, our party (PDP) has a system; our party has procedures. Sometimes, you can have these procedures to reassure the public that we are better managers when we are challenged.

You can see who is in charge. It’s a private enterprise, he can hire and fire. Is that democracy? You can’t have your opinion to explain yourself based on the demands from your constituency. I have said several times that APC is not a proper political party but a congregation of strange bedfellows. It was a Lagos State House of Assembly matter, do they have a caucus? Does the executive of the party in Lagos have a caucus? When I say caucus, it’s the unifying group, like the equivalent of the Board of Trustees at the national level, do they have that? The caucus would meet, the Speaker himself would be a member, the deputy Speaker would be a member of the same caucus, the state chairman and the state secretary would be members, and then some elders from some other local governments would be members of that caucus representing those local governments, like they claimed they have a GAC, what is the effect of the GAC? So what are their own approaches to resolving the problem? Nothing. Nothing, they got divided.

There was this committee comprising former Governors Bisi Akande and Segun Osoba that met over the matter.

You mean the committee that went to Tinubu in Abuja? Are they from Lagos State? You now raised the matter beyond the state… If you look at this party called APC, apart from Ganduje parading himself as chairman, who is the National Secretary of APC? Who is the National Organising Secretary of the APC? Where is their Exco? The only thing we heard recently was that they held a general assembly, is that the way to run a political party? So I am looking at it from the angle that because all these shenanigans must be explained to the electorate, the electorate holds the power to elect or sack you at the election time based on your performances and based on their perception of your management style. And you can see it is an emperor that owns that party. All those boys by their various constituencies, how did they get elected? Did the decisions to elect them come from their constituencies or it was just from one desk? Godfatherism is their major definition of a political party. If the big boss doesn’t say you are free to go, you can’t go. So the decision is not with the constituency and the people. The real owners of governance are the people; that is the essence of democracy. They elect who they want and when you don’t perform, by next election they throw you out.

But you see the mess we call INEC? I am now trying to explain the fallout, the lackluster approaches to solve political problems in this country. There is no way we can talk about it without referring to the procedure by which we elect State Assembly lawmakers, senators, House of Representatives members, governors and the president. It is shambolic, it’s a complete disgrace, it should be completely overhauled if we want peace and development in this country. we have to completely overhaul this INEC, the personalities there, because they bought the system, they bought the equipment, the computers so that all these interlopers who write things by hand and manipulate the process can be completely flushed out. Once you vote, the results go to the BVAS and then the results would come out.

The last time they told us it was glitch that caused the problem. So it is not just what is being displayed at the Lagos State House of Assembly, no. It is deeper than that. It has now opened our eyes to the lackluster approach to managing this country. It is not working, and if we continue with that mess without getting to clean out the INEC and the procedure, we are just joking. It would get worse.

It is an eye opener and I am appealing to President Tunubu being from the South West to go back into history to remember all these. Did he not remember the crisis in Ibadan? Did he remember the Ajasin and Omoboriowo crisis? The Abiola issue also came too.

If you were Moji Meranda, what would you have done in the face of her party’s directive that she should resign her position?

What could she do? How did she get the ticket in the first instance? That’s what I am saying. You would say she had a primary election to compete with other aspirants in her constituency, but how did she emerge? Does she have the nerve or gut to talk? The godfather gave her the ticket. Who were her competitors as aspirant? So a house built on nothing would remain on nothing, there is no foundation. I am talking because I had gone through the mill, managing our party, PDP, we have a procedure. Although we are also trying to ensure that that procedure is not manipulated by people. What we are going through now is the shady way of trying to undermine the procedure established by the founding fathers of our party and some of us are saying never. No, PDP is not the private enterprise of anybody. If you want to be a member of PDP, you have to follow the rules. There are rules, we have a constitution, follow them.

The lady (Meranda), in some other countries, the constituency would have told her get out of the way, that’s not what we sent you to do. How did she get it, how many times has she gone back to her constituency meeting to ask for their needs? So if you were handpicked, like you are working for a company, the executive chairman of the company has the right to hire or fire. So you either keep your mouth shut or you are fired.

A group of Lagosians led by General Tajudeen Olanrewaju has been very vocal lately on this crisis. Do you think the group was right in reducing the tussle to an indigene versus settler matter?

It’s a mixture of all of these. They are approaching it not as politicians, I am approaching it as a politician. I am giving you my analysis of the tactical thing as a politician. But as a Lagosian, that is a different ball game. Traditionally, Lagos is the only state in Nigeria where we do not discriminate against people. We don’t discriminate. We accept people because it’s a trading port, the commercial nerve center of Nigeria and West Africa.

So whatever you want to sell, Lagos is there for you, so on that basis, people are now trying to use that and they have the boldness to say Lagos belongs to nobody. You know, you can’t go to Ogun State, first, they would ask you, are you Yewa? Are you Egba? Are you Remo? Are you Ijebu? See how close Ogun State is to Lagos. If you are not part of them, there is no way you can get anything. If you go to Oyo, they would ask you, are you Ibadan, are you Ogbomoso, are you from Oke-Ogun? If you are not, what are you looking for? The same thing happens if you go to Osun. Go to anywhere in any state, but Lagos is an example of the way we should live our lives because we accommodate people. Accommodating people doesn’t mean that there are no indigenous Lagosians.

When it comes to political matters, they are not running it and that is why it is so potently clear who these characters are. They are people who have no face for Lagos. The question would have been instantaneously asked before you even get any ticket in Ogun State. If you are not from any of the divisions, what are you looking for? So for me, there are no normal primaries being done here (Lagos) devoid of godfatherism. He selects the people he wants, whether you are indigene or non-indigene, as long as you kiss his wing, you are a good boy or you are a good woman. That’s not democracy and that is a house built on a faulty foundation and it would not last. There would be cracks because some day you would go and when you go, what happens?

As for the Renaissance, they are looking at the crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly from the cultural point of view. Where are our people? If you look at the people that were handpicked, and sent down there, I don’t know how many of them are real indigenous Lagosians. The young lady that was put there as speaker before she was asked to resign from the position is an indigene. Is it the indigenes versus non-indigenes playing out in the Obasa issue? It is a political issue. The management of their political system is what is faulty.

With what is happening now, do you think a truly indigenous Lagosian will ever be governor again with the way you the indigenes are antagonising those controlling political power in the state?

You know political power is transient, even life itself is transient. Yes, they need to wake the indigenes up. If you sit down in your house and you are not participating in the process, and you have more of the non- indigenes than you, what do you do? You have to wake your people up, go and campaign and make sure the cultural thing is married to the politics. If you don’t do that you are just going to be howling there.

General Tajudeen Olanrewaju is my friend. We were born in the same area, and we grew up together. But I am in the heart of political activities, the Renaissance is the cultural part and I said the best is to match us together so that the procedures emerging from the political positions or the other, we would put all together and get our people to come out.

What is going on now is a lesson for our indigenous people to wake up, wake up and join a political party. If you don’t join a political party, how do you emerge as governor? Would they come and beg you in your house? If you don’t emerge and be part of it, nobody would come and beg you. They are there, let them come out. Don’t say that politics is dirty, yes, it is dirty, also join and clean it out. You know, it takes a lot of guts to be able to achieve that. Like I said, they don’t do any serious competitive primaries, the godfather handpicks those to go for one position or the other.

What advice do you have for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Speaker Obasa and President Bola Tinubu on the way Lagos is being run?

You know I am on the competitive side, my advice is just to say: Take it easy. If I wanted to be selfish, I would have said, what is my business? I would say it is in the interest of my own political party for them to collapse. But I am a Lagosian. One Yoruba adage says if heaven is going to fall, it doesn’t discriminate at all, but would fall on everyone.

Some people thought they were not concerned about the crisis in the Lagos Assembly. All the crises we have witnessed in this country, some people said they were not concerned, but when the whole thing collapsed, people died, people from across the country. It affected everyone. Let us, for the sake of the younger generation and the future generations of this country, do what is right, let us do what is just, let us do what is equitable because goodness and godliness go together and that is the only investment that does not fail. ‘Wuwuru’ or ‘warawara,’ ‘wayo,’ ‘jibiti’ also have its reward.

Let them take a cue from the performance of Papa Obafemi Awolowo: First in the field of education. Many of those you see today would not have been able to have that exposure if not for Chief Awolowo. He knew that education makes people easy to govern but difficult to deceive. Once you educate people properly, they know their duties as citizens, duties as a child to parents, duties to the state.

What has happened in the Lagos State House of Assembly is just an example of the madness, an offshoot of what God is making us to see and I pray that the electorate would also open their eyes and see the futility and the lackluster management style, and that ‘Baba says’ is not in democracy.

[Nigerian Tribune]

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Tinubu Tax: Debate Intensifies As NLC, Afenifere, ACF, Ohanaeze, Others Submit Over 200 Memoranda

AFOLABI

The Federal Government’s ambitious plan to revamp Nigeria’s tax laws has gained momentum as the Senate and House of Representatives received over 200 memoranda from stakeholders during public hearings.

Naija News reports that the hearings, which attracted participation from government agencies, private sector representatives, civil society groups, and tax professionals, marked a crucial step in the country’s tax reform process.

A key focus of the discussions was how to balance economic growth, revenue generation, and business sustainability, while addressing concerns from individuals and corporate entities.

Stakeholders Offer Diverse Perspectives

The hearings showcased varied opinions on the proposed tax reform bills. While some stakeholders welcomed the move as a step toward modernizing the tax system, others warned of potential challenges.

The House of Representatives alone received 54 memoranda, indicating widespread interest in the tax reform debate.

Government officials and economists argued that the reforms would reduce the budget deficit, enhance tax compliance, and streamline collection processes. However, critics expressed concerns that proposed changes to Value Added Tax (VAT) and income tax brackets could negatively impact small businesses and middle-class citizens.

Finding A Balance Between Growth And Fairness

Key issues raised during the hearings included expanding the tax base without increasing rates, preventing overburdening of businesses and individuals and ensuring fairness in tax distribution.

The National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) called for a simplified tax system to enhance compliance, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The group also advocated for lower corporate tax rates to encourage investment and job creation.

Similarly, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) urged the government to avoid increasing taxes on raw materials, warning that it could lead to higher production costs and hurt local industries.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) voiced concerns about the impact on low-income earners, emphasizing the need for a progressive tax system where high-income earners and corporations contribute more.

Calls For Transparency And Sector-Specific Adjustments

Several civil society organizations (CSOs), including Tax Justice Network Africa, pushed for greater transparency and accountability in tax collection and spending.

They also urged the government to combat tax evasion among multinational corporations and ensure that revenue is directed toward social development programs.

Representatives from the oil and gas sector cautioned that frequent tax policy changes could affect Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) stressed the importance of clear legal frameworks to prevent confusion and legal disputes.

Other contributions came from organizations such as the Alumni Association of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative, the Centre for African Policy Research Advisory, and Project Sprint.

The Legislative Mentorship Initiative described the reforms as a strategic blueprint for Nigeria’s economic future but urged lawmakers to consider the impact on vulnerable populations.

The Centre for African Policy Research Advisory advocated for public engagement in the reform process, while Project Sprint raised concerns over the effects of VAT adjustments on economic activity and labor supply.

What’s Next For Tax Reforms?

With deliberations ongoing, lawmakers are set to review the memoranda and fine-tune the proposed tax reforms.

The goal is to pass legislation that will boost economic growth, reduce inequality, and enhance government revenue collection.

However, the specifics of the reforms remain contentious, with lawmakers facing the challenge of balancing competing interests while crafting a fair, sustainable, and business-friendly tax system.

As the National Assembly navigates the complexities of tax policy, all eyes remain on policymakers to see how they will reconcile diverse perspectives and deliver a tax system that drives Nigeria’s economic future.

In the coming months, stakeholders hope that the final reform package will effectively address their concerns while positioning Nigeria for long-term fiscal stability and growth.

Opposition Senators Visit Suspended Senator Natasha, Explore Options for Quick Resolution of Dispute

Admin

A delegation of senators from the opposition political parties on Friday visited the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, at her home.

The delegation was led by a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson.

Dickson, a member of the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, Privileges and Public Petitions that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, shared a photo of the visit on his social media pages.

He said his engagement with the tax reform bills had kept him away from the Senate’s proceedings on the day of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.

“The public may recall that, for the past three days, I was attending the three-day workshop on the Tax Reform Bills, which started on Wednesday 5th of March and ended this evening, Friday, 7th of March,” he said.

“This is why I was not available yesterday to sit as a member of the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of the issues concerning our colleague, Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan’s suspension, having been assured by the Committee Chairman that the hearing would hold on Wednesday, March 11 for which notices had already been issued. I was not notified of the emergency sitting yesterday.

“This evening, after concluding the retreat, I led a delegation of some senators of opposition parties on a visit to our colleague Senator Natasha and met with her and her husband at their home,” Dickson said.

Dickson added that as humans, senators have their low and high moments “and it is a tradition for Senators to support each other during these moments”.

“We offered words of encouragement, prayers, and advice on a quick resolution of the issues surrounding her suspension,” he added.

“Having heard more from her and her husband for the first time, I will discuss with other colleagues how to intervene and engage with the leadership of the senate to resolve the issues as soon as possible.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended last Thursday for six months after she rejected her new seat in the upper legislative chamber.

The dispute escalated into allegations of sexual harassment by the Kogi senator against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Her suspension has sparked widespread debate and criticisms, particularly from women groups and civil society organisations.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition elements have condemned her suspension, saying the move reeks of a grand cover-up attempt.

[ThisDay]

Our Elections Are A Complete Disgrace, Shambolic – Bode George Calls For INEC Overhauling

AFOLABI

A former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has called for a complete overhaul of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking in an interview with Saturday Tribune, George described Nigeria’s electoral process as shambolic and a disgrace.

While reacting to the crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly, the PDP chieftain lamented the issue of godfatherism plaguing Lagos State political space.

He stated that there is no way we can talk about solving political problems without referring to the procedure by which we elect State Assembly lawmakers, senators, House of Representatives members, governors and the president.

According to him, our electoral process should be completely overhauled if we want peace and development in this country.

George said: “If you look at this party called APC, apart from Ganduje parading himself as chairman, who is the National Secretary of APC? Who is the National Organising Secretary of the APC? Where is their Exco? The only thing we heard recently was that they held a general assembly, is that the way to run a political party? So I am looking at it from the angle that because all these shenanigans must be explained to the electorate, the electorate holds the power to elect or sack you at the election time based on your performances and based on their perception of your management style. And you can see it is an emperor that owns that party. All those boys by their various constituencies, how did they get elected? Did the decisions to elect them come from their constituencies or it was just from one desk? Godfatherism is their major definition of a political party. If the big boss doesn’t say you are free to go, you can’t go. So the decision is not with the constituency and the people. The real owners of governance are the people; that is the essence of democracy. They elect who they want and when you don’t perform, by next election they throw you out.

“But you see the mess we call INEC? I am now trying to explain the fallout, the lackluster approaches to solve political problems in this country. There is no way we can talk about it without referring to the procedure by which we elect State Assembly lawmakers, senators, House of Representatives members, governors and the president. It is shambolic, it’s a complete disgrace, it should be completely overhauled if we want peace and development in this country. we have to completely overhaul this INEC, the personalities there, because they bought the system, they bought the equipment, the computers so that all these interlopers who write things by hand and manipulate the process can be completely flushed out. Once you vote, the results go to the BVAS and then the results would come out.

“The last time they told us it was glitch that caused the problem. So it is not just what is being displayed at the Lagos State House of Assembly, no. It is deeper than that. It has now opened our eyes to the lackluster approach to managing this country. It is not working, and if we continue with that mess without getting to clean out the INEC and the procedure, we are just joking. It would get worse.”

From 24.9m Nigerians currently suffering hunger, 30.6m at risk of starvation by August - Report warns

AFOLABI

A recent report by the Cadre Harmonisé (CH) on Acute Food and Nutrition Insecurity has projected that 30.6 million people across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will face a food crisis between June and August 2025. The report, conducted by federal and state governments with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other development partners, highlights that this figure includes 150,978 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Currently, an estimated 24.9 million people, including 116,765 IDPs, are already experiencing a food crisis, a situation that could worsen by May 2025. The CH analysis warns that during the lean season from June to August, households are likely to face increased food shortages, potentially pushing more people in high-risk areas into critical food insecurity.

The report identifies conflicts, climatic shocks, and macroeconomic reforms as key factors driving the crisis. These challenges have limited households' purchasing power and ability to secure adequate food. Additionally, the analysis highlights critical levels of acute malnutrition in the Northeast, particularly in Central Borno, Northern Yobe, and parts of Eastern Sokoto. Local Government Areas such as Mobbae and Ngarcail in Northern Borno, as well as Mashi in Northern Katsina, are among the most affected.

The primary drivers of the food crisis include ongoing conflict and insecurity—such as insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping—as well as high vulnerability levels that hinder households' ability to cope with shocks. Other contributing factors are soaring food prices, dwindling household food stocks, limited income-generating opportunities, inadequate food consumption, and poor access to clean water and sanitation.

FAO Country Representative Koffy Dominique praised the Federal Government and stakeholders for completing the February-March 2025 CH analysis cycle, which began on February 20 across 26 states and the FCT. He noted that Nigeria has experienced its worst inflation in over two decades, exacerbating economic hardship for many families and making it increasingly difficult to afford food and essential goods. Dominique also pointed to the devastating impacts of extreme weather events, such as flooding, alongside armed conflict and organized crime, which have prolonged insecurity and worsened food insecurity.

The CH analysis workshops, held twice a year, aim to identify populations and areas at risk of food and nutrition insecurity and propose measures to prevent or mitigate crises. Dominique emphasized the importance of these efforts in addressing the country's growing food security challenges.

Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, highlighted the role of fuel subsidy removal and insecurity in driving up food prices. Represented by Okwudule Onyema, Director of Food and Strategic Reserve, Ogunbiyi reaffirmed the government's commitment to leveraging the CH report's findings to tackle the food and nutrition crisis. He also called on humanitarian organizations to use the report to guide their interventions nationwide.

The report underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to address the root causes of food insecurity and prevent further escalation of the crisis.