The Coalition of Northern Democratic Forum (CND) has praised President Bola Tinubu for his prompt action in addressing concerns raised by Nigerians regarding the proposed Tax Reform Bills.

The group lauded Tinubu’s decision to direct the Ministry of Justice to collaborate with the National Assembly to resolve the issues before the bills are passed.

Hon. Auwal Ibrahim Sansani, the Coordinator of the CND, expressed gratitude for the President’s efforts in revising controversial clauses within the tax reform bills.

“The President’s decision to amend the tax reform bills reflects his dedication to the welfare of Nigerians. We applaud his leadership, which prioritizes the concerns of the people,” Sansani stated on Friday.

Additionally, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum endorsed the bills on Thursday, with certain exceptions on the Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing formula, suggesting adjustments to its implementation.

The CND emphasized that the proposed amendments would address the concerns of various stakeholders and ensure that the tax reforms foster economic growth, social justice, and sustainable development.

The group also extended appreciation to Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for his role in facilitating discussions and resolving the tax reform issue, as well as to prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi for his support of the President’s efforts.

“The tax reform bills are a crucial step towards improving Nigeria’s economic environment. We strongly support the President’s efforts to create a more business-friendly atmosphere and stimulate economic growth,” the coalition concluded.

After months of intense debate, Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the presidency have successfully reached a consensus on the controversial tax reform bills, halting plans to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate and introducing a more balanced revenue-sharing formula.

The resolution was reached during consultations with the Presidential Tax Reform Committee in Abuja, marking a pivotal moment in resolving one of the country’s most contentious fiscal issues.

In a communique issued following the meeting, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) announced that both the federal government and state governors had agreed to drop the proposed VAT rate hike.

The NGF, led by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, also revealed a revised VAT sharing formula that aims for a more equitable distribution of resources.

Under the new plan, VAT revenue will be divided as follows: 50 percent based on equality, 30 percent according to derivation, and 20 percent based on population.

The governors opposed any increase in VAT rates or reductions in Corporate Income Tax (CIT) at this time, emphasizing the need for economic stability.

They also advocated for the continued exemption of essential goods and agricultural products from VAT to protect citizens’ welfare and boost agricultural productivity.

The primary sticking points in the tax reform discussions had been the proposed increase in VAT rates and a new VAT sharing model in the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, which would have reduced the federal government’s share of VAT and reallocated funds based on company headquarters rather than consumption.

The proposed VAT rate hike, which included gradual increases from 7.5% to 15% by 2030, also drew widespread criticism.

Meanwhile, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan addressed concerns from stakeholders in Northern Nigeria, attributing unease over the tax reforms to the region’s lack of preparedness for fiscal changes.

Speaking at the Sardauna Memorial Day in Kaduna, she urged Northern leaders to revive the region’s agricultural and industrial sectors to prepare for future economic shifts.

She noted the region’s historical successes, citing that in 1959, Nigeria’s groundnut exports were valued at £27 million (equivalent to N3.6 trillion today), compared to the current $3 million.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) also weighed in, urging lawmakers to protect the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) from proposed cuts in the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024.

The union criticized plans to redirect funds from TETFund to a new student loan scheme, warning that such moves could undermine higher education access for many Nigerians.

In the Northwest, civil society groups, youth associations, and student organizations voiced concerns about the politicization of the tax reform debate.

At a symposium in Kaduna, they urged Northern leaders to embrace the reforms as an opportunity to harness the region’s resources and ensure economic self-sufficiency, stressing that transparent leadership is necessary to address the region’s socio-economic challenges.

The groups commended President Bola Tinubu for initiatives aimed at regional development and economic empowerment, such as the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development and the introduction of a student loan scheme.

However, they called for more focus on agricultural value chains, mineral resources, and livestock development to diversify the region’s economy and reduce dependence on oil.

Amid the ongoing leadership crisis within the Rivers State People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the pro-Nyesom Wike faction in the state House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, visited the Chukwuemeka Aaron-led executive on Thursday, offering their full support.

This visit follows a dramatic turn of events on January 13, 2025, when the Rivers State High Court, under Justice Stephen Jumbo, ruled to nullify the congresses that produced Chukwuemeka and other executives, sparking a leadership vacuum.

The ruling gave rise to Robinson Ewor, a supporter of the Siminalayi Fubara camp, who was poised to take over the party’s leadership.

However, Ewor’s announcement that he would seize control of the party was met with immediate opposition.

Early on Thursday, the Chukwuemeka-led faction moved to secure the PDP Secretariat, denying any involvement in the lawsuit that led to their disqualification.

In a press briefing, Chukwuemeka claimed the party was unaware of the court action and vowed to appeal the judgment, asserting that his faction remained the legitimate and authentic leadership of the PDP in Rivers State.

During the solidarity visit, Amaewhule expressed gratitude for a peaceful transition into 2025 and praised Chukwuemeka’s leadership.

He assured the PDP leadership of their unwavering loyalty and support, highlighting Wike’s pivotal role in the party’s success and his performance as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Chukwuemeka thanked the lawmakers for their visit, emphasizing that his faction remains the true representative of the PDP.

He also commended Amaewhule for his continued loyalty, noting the Assembly’s crucial role in strengthening the party’s position in the state.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, reaffirming its earlier judgment from November 13, 2024.

A three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Hamma Barka, ruled that its previous decision, recognizing Abure as the Labour Party’s national chairman, remains valid and has not been overturned by any court.

This ruling was delivered while addressing two separate appeals filed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, the caretaker committee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In its judgment, the appellate court stated that it refrained from ruling on the leadership dispute within the Labour Party, as such matters are deemed non-justiciable.

The court emphasized that any action taken outside its jurisdiction is considered a nullity. As a result, the ruling by the Federal High Court on October 8, 2024, led by Justice Emeka Nwite, was rendered invalid due to the lack of jurisdiction.

The court’s decision to strike out the suit for want of jurisdiction rested on its reliance on the November 13 judgment, which firmly maintains that “Abure Remains National Chairman of the Labour Party.”

Justice Nwite’s ruling in October 2024 had affirmed the leadership of the Abure-led faction and the legitimacy of the March 2024 Nnewi convention that produced the national leadership.

Additionally, Justice Nwite ordered INEC to recognize Abure as the legitimate Labour Party chairman, effectively overturning the Commission’s earlier stance questioning the validity of Abure’s leadership.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite had stated, “I am of the view that and so hold that the basis of these cogent verifiable documents, the defendants attempt to impeach the validity of the leadership of the plaintiff fails. The plaintiff has proved his case. I hereby make an order compelling the defendant to accord the plaintiff’s political party under the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure all the rights and privileges accorded a political party duly registered in Nigeria.”

INEC had previously argued that the Labour Party’s national convention violated the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act, claiming the party failed to meet the necessary legal requirements for holding the convention.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has successfully removed 7,746 deceased individuals from the national voter register, spanning all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as of December 2022.

Victoria Etta-Messi, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, confirmed the update on Thursday, reiterating the commission’s ongoing commitment to ensuring an accurate voter register.

“Seven thousand, seven hundred and forty-six deceased persons across the 36 states and the FCT were removed from the National Register of voters as of December 2022,” Etta-Messi stated.

Despite the progress, INEC noted that challenges remain in eliminating deceased voters, particularly due to the lack of comprehensive official death records.

The commission highlighted the need for improved collaboration with institutions such as the National Population Commission (NPC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to address this issue.

Additionally, INEC tackled issues related to double and multiple registrations, utilizing the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to flag and remove 2,780,756 invalid entries, representing 22.6% of new registrations.

This process aims to enhance the accuracy of the voter register.

The commission also expressed concerns about declining voter turnout, noting that the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections saw a turnout of only 27.5%, down from 35.6% in 2019.

This decrease was partly attributed to an inflated voter register, prompting discussions on measures such as suspending inactive voters and requiring revalidation for those who haven’t participated in the last three elections.

INEC reaffirmed its dedication to addressing these challenges to strengthen the integrity of future elections and improve the voter registration process.