Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday formally welcomed Senator Neda Imasuen into the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the senator’s defection from the Labour Party.

Imasuen, who represents Edo South Senatorial District and serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, announced his defection in a letter addressed to the Senate President.

The letter was read during plenary.

In the correspondence, Imasuen attributed his decision to the leadership crisis plaguing the Labour Party, adding that the move followed consultations with his constituents and political allies in Edo South.

He explained that aligning with the APC would allow him to better serve his constituents and support the policy agenda of the current federal administration.

Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio extended a warm welcome to the senator, inviting him to approach the chair in a symbolic gesture marking his new affiliation.

“Distinguished Senator Neda Imasuen, you shall no longer ‘Labour’ in vain. Your defection has been well documented. You may now graciously move to your new party. Kindly approach the chair for a handshake,” Akpabio said.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also congratulated Imasuen on his decision and urged him to play an active role in strengthening both the APC and national governance.

Imasuen’s defection adds to a wave of political realignments taking place in the National Assembly as Nigeria heads toward the 2027 general elections.

Several lawmakers have recently left their parties, particularly the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), amid internal disputes and shifting political calculations.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it has received 110 applications from various political associations, including the Obidient Movement, seeking official registration as political parties.

Speaking during the second regular consultative meeting with media executives held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, addressed recent speculation surrounding the Commission’s handling of the applications.

“Clearly, one of the topical issues on election administration in our country today is the status of the letters of intent we received from associations seeking registration as political parties amidst partisan insinuations in some quarters that the Commission is equivocating on the matter in a manner that compromises our independence,” Yakubu stated.

“Nothing can be further from the truth,” he emphasized, noting that such claims echo similar accusations made in 2013. “Nigerians may recall that the same unfounded accusation was made under similar circumstances in 2013, that the Commission was not keen on the proposed merger of political parties because INEC had ‘merged with the ruling party’ at the time.”

The INEC boss pointed out that under the current leadership, the Commission has demonstrated consistency in its approach to political party registration.

“For the record, the present Commission registered the largest number of political parties in Nigeria strictly following the provision of the electoral legal framework. For the 2019 General Election, there were 91 political parties and 73 presidential candidates,” he said.

He added that post-election, INEC acted within the law to streamline the number of political parties.

“After the election, the Commission also deregistered over 70 political parties as provided by law,” Yakubu said.

Reaffirming INEC’s neutrality and commitment to transparency, he assured the public that the Commission would continue to follow legal procedures in processing the applications.

“We wish to reassure Nigerians that under the current situation, we will continue to be guided by law and act with fairness to all associations seeking registration as political parties,” he said.

“We will treat all requests fairly, irrespective of the status of their promoters, be they ordinary or prominent citizens. Nigerians will be fully briefed on the actions taken by the Commission every step of the way.”

As of Monday, June 23, 2025, Yakubu revealed, INEC had received formal letters of intent from 110 associations, though six of the most recent submissions had not yet been formally acknowledged.

“We are diligently processing the requests in line with the procedure outlined in the law, as well as our Regulations and Guidelines,” he said.

“We have acknowledged all requests received so far, except six of them received recently, which will be done before the end of the week.”

He further encouraged those interested in forming political parties to consult INEC’s publicly available documentation.

“For emphasis, I wish to inform Nigerians, particularly those interested in registering new political parties, that the handbook containing the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022 is already available on the Commission’s website.”

President Bola Tinubu is expected to formally sign four crucial tax-related bills into law today, marking a significant overhaul of Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue administration system.

According to a statement issued yesterday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the legislative reforms are designed to reshape the country’s tax environment.

He described them as “transformative steps that will transform Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.”

The four bills, Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, recently cleared the National Assembly following what Onanuga said were “extensive consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.”

He noted that once operational, these new laws would overhaul how taxes are administered in Nigeria, with far-reaching implications for the economy.

“They would significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” he explained.

The signing ceremony, which will take place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, is expected to be witnessed by top-ranking government officials, including the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senate Majority Leader, House Majority Leader, as well as the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Finance.

Other attendees include the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Onanuga added.

Among the four bills, the Nigeria Tax Bill—tagged the “Ease of Doing Business” legislation—seeks to streamline and consolidate the country’s fragmented tax statutes into a single, harmonized law.

Onanuga explained that “by reducing the multiplicity of taxes and eliminating duplication, the bill will enhance the ease of doing business, reduce taxpayer compliance burdens, and create a more predictable fiscal environment.”

The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill introduces a standardized legal and operational framework for tax collection across the federal, state, and local government levels, ensuring uniformity and consistency.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill repeals the existing Federal Inland Revenue Service Act.

It paves the way for a more autonomous and efficient national tax agency—the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS).

The bill spells out the NRS’s broader mandate, including its authority to collect non-tax revenues, and integrates provisions to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency.

The final piece of the legislative package, the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, proposes a comprehensive governance structure to promote collaboration among revenue authorities at all tiers of government.

It also creates new oversight institutions, such as a Tax Appeal Tribunal and an Office of the Tax Ombudsman, to strengthen dispute resolution and taxpayer rights.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that the 2027 general elections will mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, promising it “will not be business as usual.”

He made the statement during a meeting on Tuesday in Abuja with a delegation comprising North West opinion leaders, Kannywood stakeholders, and digital media influencers.

The delegation was led by Dr. Aslam Aliyu, a notable Zamfara politician and convener of the PAA 2027 New Media & Digital Communications Forum.

According to Daily Trust, Atiku who was the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate in the last election, is actively engaged in coalition-building efforts with other opposition leaders to challenge and potentially unseat President Bola Tinubu in the next poll.

Atiku said the emerging coalition is a direct response to the growing demand for change among Nigerians, who he believes are deeply concerned about the state of the country.

“I told the visiting forum that the envisaged coalition is a deliberate effort to recover and rebuild Nigeria in line with the yearnings and aspirations of the people,” he said.

“I assured the forum that 2027 will not be business as usual.”

He urged members of the forum to remain dedicated to the mission, particularly in raising public awareness about the coalition’s goals and the importance of national renewal.

“I am aware of the pervasive level of insecurity and other challenges citizens are facing on a daily basis. Suffice it to say that we, in the coalition, have the individual and collective capacity to tackle them headlong,” Atiku added.

A wave of confusion has hit Nigeria’s political space as two separate political associations, both using the acronym ADA, have submitted applications for registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The two entities, among a crowded field of 110 political associations seeking official party status, have sparked concerns about identity overlap and the potential for voter confusion in future elections.

One of the groups, All Democratic Alliance (ADA), is reportedly fronted by Chief Akin Ricketts.

Political analysts suggest this faction could be a “special purpose vehicle” being advanced by anti-Tinubu coalitions in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

This version of ADA appears on INEC’s provisional list as entry number 109.

Closely following it at number 110 is another group with the same acronym, Advanced Democratic Alliance, led by Alhaji Ahmadu Suleiman as its protem chairman, with Zipporah Pius Miracles listed as secretary.

Despite the identical shorthand, the two associations are entirely distinct in both leadership structure and operational base.

Ricketts’ All Democratic Alliance is headquartered at UAC Complex, Samuel Ademulegun Street, Central Business District, Abuja, while Suleiman’s Advanced Democratic Alliance maintains its office at Frandriance Close, off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

The presence of two similarly named associations on INEC’s list has raised eyebrows in political circles, with many observers questioning how the electoral body will resolve potential issues related to branding and public recognition.

With the number of political associations applying for registration climbing to 110, INEC now faces a challenging task, not just in determining which groups meet the legal threshold for party registration, but also in ensuring each one maintains a unique identity and is distinguishable to the electorate.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to clarify the identity of Alex Sigman, a man described as an international businessman and alleged former classmate of the president at Chicago State University (CSU), USA.

This challenge came shortly after President Tinubu launched the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme in Abuja on Monday, during which he commissioned 2,000 tractors for use across the country.

The event was held at the National Agricultural Seeds Council, along the Abuja -Lokoja Expressway.

During his speech, the president credited international support, especially from the Republic of Belarus, for enabling the procurement, technology transfer, and training associated with the agricultural programme.

“We have friends across the world. Belarus is committed to a programme that will empower our youth—teach them how to do things, get them off the streets, and train them in technology, machinery, and fabrication,” Tinubu said.

He specifically acknowledged Alex Sigman, referring to him as a Belarusian businessman and his former schoolmate at CSU who helped facilitate the bilateral cooperation.

“Alex was my very good neighbour and schoolmate in Chicago. Never did we dream that I would become President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Alex, a successful businessman from Belarus—working together to promote the prosperity of our two countries. I believe our university will be very proud that we are doing this here today,” Tinubu added.

In a swift response, Atiku Abubakar raised doubts about the credibility of Tinubu’s statements, describing the president’s remarks as “a light-hearted revelation” that, instead of building confidence, deepens public confusion over Tinubu’s academic history.

A statement from Atiku’s media office questioned the identity of the person Tinubu referred to as Alex Sigman, suggesting it could be Alex Zingman, a Belarusian businessman allegedly involved in arms dealings and financial controversies in Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Atiku pointed to inconsistencies in the timeline:

“By the year 1979, when President Tinubu claims to have graduated from CSU, Mr. Zingman would have been only 13 years old.”

He continued with sarcasm:

“Are we now to believe that the Guinness Book of Records missed the story of a 13-year-old Belarusian prodigy graduating from an American university alongside Bola Ahmed Tinubu?”

Atiku added that the president’s alleged association with Zingman, a figure with a controversial global profile, was concerning:

“Even more troubling is the President’s casual association with a man whose international reputation is mired in scandal.”

He then posed a series of rhetorical questions directed at the president:

“Mr. President, Nigerians deserve to know why a man born in 1966 is being paraded as your classmate who graduated in 1979. Were you taught in the same classroom or different decades?”

“Mr. President, Nigerians deserve to know if the Alex Zingman of global infamy – the arms-linked tycoon – shares the same seat in your memories or only in a script of fiction.”

“Mr. President, Nigerians deserve to know why the mystery around your academic record deepens with every attempt to clarify it.”

Atiku also raised broader concerns about Tinubu’s academic background, including the president’s claim of presenting a certificate from Government College, Lagos, as his entry credential into Richard Daley College in 1973.

“Mr. President, Nigerians deserve to know why, since you claim to have presented a certificate from Government College, Lagos to gain entry into Richard Daley College in 1973, no classmate from that institution has ever spoken of sharing a desk with you.”

He further questioned the legitimacy of the certificate itself:

“Mr. President, Nigerians deserve to know how a school founded in 1972 could issue you a certificate dated 1970.”

Atiku concluded with a call for transparency:

“Mr. President, your oath of office binds you not just to protect our nation but to honour its truth. The Presidency is not a sanctuary for secrets – it is a platform for integrity. And as such, Nigerians await not tales of Alexes from distant lands but proof, clarity, and the simple dignity of facts.”

President Tinubu’s academic records have long been a subject of public debate. Although Chicago State University has confirmed his attendance, opposition figures, including Atiku, have continued to question the authenticity of documents and timelines related to his education.

During the last election cycle, Atiku’s legal team obtained Tinubu’s academic documents from CSU in an effort to challenge his eligibility.

However, the Supreme Court of Nigeria ultimately ruled in Tinubu’s favour, closing the matter from a legal perspective—though, clearly, not from public discourse.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) has not yet fulfilled the conditions necessary to be registered as a political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This was made known by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun, during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to Olumekun, while the commission has received several letters expressing intent to form political parties, none of them, including ADA, has met the required criteria to formally apply.

“The truth is that we have so many letters of intent presently and none of them is an application yet. They must first meet the criteria before submitting a letter of intent,” Olumekun explained.

One notable concern, he noted, is that ADA’s proponents failed to follow proper procedure in their communication, including omitting the word “electoral” from their letter addressed to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

The application, dated June 19, was signed by ADA’s interim national chairman, Akin Ricketts, and the protem national secretary, Abdullahi Musa Elayo.

The proposed party has reportedly drawn support or involvement from several high-profile politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), former Senate President David Mark, and Peter Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate.

Despite the growing attention around ADA, INEC emphasized that there are no shortcuts to becoming a registered political party in Nigeria.

The commission reiterated that all associations must fully comply with the 2022 Electoral Act and INEC’s internal regulations before they can be granted official party status.

Meanwhile, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is scheduled to meet with leaders of the 19 currently registered political parties on Thursday at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

The consultative meeting will also include representatives from the media, civil society groups, and security agencies.

It will be held under the framework of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), co-chaired by Prof. Yakubu and National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

A senior INEC official confirmed that the INEC Chairman is expected to address the status of ADA and related party registration matters during the Thursday session.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declined to sign the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (Establishment) Amendment Bill, 2025, citing inconsistencies with existing federal laws and governance frameworks.

In a formal communication read by the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Tinubu acknowledged the intent behind the bill but noted that several of its provisions contradict established legal and policy standards of the federal government.

“Notwithstanding the laudable objectives of the legislation, certain provisions contained therein go against the settled law and policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” the president said in his letter.

He pointed out that the bill touches on sensitive areas such as:

Funding mechanisms for National Assembly agencies

Taxation policies affecting national entities

Public service remuneration structures

Age and years of service limits within public institutions

Tinubu warned that the bill, if passed into law in its current form, could create legal and financial complications.

“If this bill becomes law, these provisions will establish an unsustainable precedent against the public interest,” he added.

The president urged the National Assembly to revisit the proposed amendments and align them with existing policies.

“I hope that the House of Representatives will take necessary steps to fix the identified issues with the legislation,” he concluded.

The National Assembly Library Trust Fund Amendment Bill, 2025 aims to enhance the financing and efficiency of the National Assembly’s library services.

However, the president’s rejection signals the need for a more carefully balanced approach that aligns with broader public sector governance rules.