APC Governor opposes Tinubu’s Tax Reforms Bill, says it will bring economic decline
APC Governor opposes Tinubu’s Tax Reforms Bill, says it will bring economic decline
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, has during an interview with BBC hausa, expressed firm opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reforms Bill, which is currently being debated in the National Assembly.
The interview which was shared on X, Zulum clearly stated that the northern region will not back the proposed legislation.
The governor expressed deep concerns about the negative impact the bill would have on the North and other regions, warning that its implementation could lead to economic decline, hunger, poverty, and increased insecurity, particularly in the northern states.
Zulum also questioned the urgency with which the National Assembly is pushing for the swift passage of the bill, pointing out the stark contrast to the lengthy delay in passing the Petroleum Industry Bill.
He raised concerns about the bill’s affordability and long-term sustainability, stating, “Our concern is that once the law is passed, we won’t be able to pay, and even if we manage to pay once, it will become unsustainable in the future.”
He further cautioned against creating problems that could burden future generations, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of the bill’s consequences. Zulum also highlighted that Lagos State, like the North, has expressed reservations about the bill, reflecting broader regional apprehension about its potential economic impact.
In his appeal, Governor Zulum urged President Tinubu to intervene, reminding him that the North contributed approximately 60 percent of the votes that secured his presidential victory.
He called on the president to approach the region’s concerns with empathy and understanding.
“We believe this Bill, if passed into Law will completely destroy or kill the North as a whole. We are calling on all relevant stakeholders including President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to raise up and look into this matter.
“It will not only affect the North, but the Eastern and Western even the South-South regions. States like Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo will have problems too. They are equally saying it will also take Lagos State backward and if that’s the case, we all don’t want Lagos to go backward.
“Therefore, let’s leave things the way they are currently.”
Addressing members of the National Assembly, Zulum said, “Do not betray the trust of your constituents by passing the bill. Opposing the bill does not imply opposition to the government but rather a commitment to protecting regional interests.
“My position is that we should all be careful, we have families, grand children, brothers, sisters in our communities, our states to look out for.”
“Therefore, whatsoever that will not favour the North, our states – we – the Northern Governors – have met and discussed our position on it and will not be party to this Bill.
“The President should stop listening to comments that those from the North hated him. Let us be careful, no one should be deceived. This is politics, we voted him, this issue of tax will not remove us from our positions,” Zulum insisted.
The Presidency, represented by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, had previously emphasised that the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly are vital for enhancing the well-being of Nigerians.
Onanuga clarified that these reforms were not introduced by President Tinubu to disadvantage any region of the country.
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Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
The police in Lagos on Friday, charged two men before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling an 11- year-old girl.
The defendants are: Prince Tomnyie, 40, a businessman, who resides at Agege, and Micheal Adenuga, 24, a furniture maker, who resides at Atere Street in Lekki.
They are standing trial on charges of defilement, and had each pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji told the court that they committed the offence sometimes in December 2024, and September 2025, at Langbasa Ajah and Igbara Lekki, Lagos .
The prosecutor alleged that the victim’s father, had taken his daughter for medical check and it was discovered that the minor had been defiled.
The prosecution alleged that the victim had told her father that his friend, Tomnyie, defiled her sometimes ago.
Ademigbuji alleged that the victim also mentioned the second defendant’s name who lives in their neigbourhood.
The offence contravenes the provisons of section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr L. A Owolabi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of of N600,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned the case until March 5, for mention. (NAN)
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Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has insisted that bail is free, and called on the public to report any officer asking for money to release a suspect on bail.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Adeh spoke in reaction to public outcry that some police officers were demanding money to release suspects on bail in the territory.
She said the report of the erring officers would serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was fraudulent to demand for money to release a suspect on bail.
Adeh blamed the yielding to such fraudulent demand on ignorance on the part of the victims who refused to stand on their rights.
“A similar case was reported where an officer demanded money to release a suspect on bail and when the matter was reported, we requested for evidence from the victim.
“The evidence was provided because the money was transferred to the officer’s account and actions are being taken on the issue.
“So, I encourage the public to take advantage of the FCT Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) lines on 08107314192 to report such misconduct with evidence,” she said.
Adeh urged the public to always insist on their rights and refuse any form of payment to release a suspect on bail.(NAN)
News
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol was on Friday sentenced to five years in prison for obstruction of justice.
The Seoul Central District Court found that the 65-year-old conservative, with the help of the presidential security service, had tried to prevent his own arrest and deleted multiple documents related to the investigation against him.
Yoon shocked the nation by imposing martial law on December 3, 2024, amid a budget dispute with the opposition, plunging the country into a political crisis.
He justified the drastic measure as necessary to protect South Korea’s democratic order and accused the left-leaning opposition of being infiltrated by communists with ties to China and North Korea, though he provided no evidence for these claims.
In a separate trial, prosecutors have sought the death penalty for Yoon on charges of incitement, with a verdict expected on February 19.
While the death penalty remains legally in force in South Korea, it has not been carried out for nearly 30 years.
Yoon’s actions previously alarmed international investors and led to withheld investments, damaging the reputation of South Korea as a political and economic model for the region.
Since last summer, South Korea has been led by President Lee Jae Myung, a left-leaning centrist and long-time political rival of Yoon. (dpa/NAN)
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