Politics
Why I’m Against Tax Reform Bills — Ndume
The Senator representing Borno North Central Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has explained his opposition to the Tax Reform Bills, which have been passed for second reading in the Senate.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, the former Senate Chief Whip criticised the timing of the bills, arguing that the focus should be on governance reforms before tax reforms.
The PUNCH reports that the Senate passed the four tax bills for a second reading on Thursday through voice votes.
The bills include a proposal to establish the Joint Revenue Board, the Tax Appeal Tribunal, and the Office of the Tax Ombudsman, all part of President Bola Tinubu’s comprehensive tax reform package.
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Ndume, however, outlined his concerns with the bills, citing issues such as the wrong timing, the question of derivation, Value Added Tax, and the lack of consensus or buy-in from Nigerians.
He further explained that the country spends over 50 per cent of its budget on recurrent expenditure and debt servicing.
“Yes, reform. But even with reforms, you have to prioritise, time it correctly, and ensure the buy-in of Nigerians because this is a democracy. It is the government of the people, for the people, and by the people.
“First in Nigeria, what we need to do is reform the government. Our personnel and overhead expenditure for 2024 is about 50 to 60 per cent of the budget itself. We are here in November, and 20 per cent of the budget has not been implemented. But if you check the recurrent expenditure, it has already been exhausted.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills Pass Second Reading At Senate
“So, that means over 15 to 20 trillion naira is going into personnel, debt servicing, and recurrent expenditure. We should reform the government, not only the Executive – we need to reform the government holistically,” he said.
The Senator also raised concerns that, despite being an Executive Bill, the Senate treated it as if it were a Presidential bill, reinforcing the perception of a rubber-stamp Senate.
“Does it say it’s a Presidential Bill or is it supposed to be a Presidential Bill? When you say it’s an Executive Bill and you don’t have the buy-in of the Executive of the State, is it complete? That is where the problem lies. We’ve been doing this to the point that they now call us a rubber stamp,” Ndume said.
Politics
Joe Igbokwe Reacts As Wike, APC Secretary Lock Horns Over Fubara
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and social media commentator, Joe Igbokwe, has condemned the verbal war between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the National Secretary of the ruling party, Ajibola Basiru.
DAILY POST reports that following the renewed hostility between Wike and the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the APC Secretary had expressed support for the governor.
However, during an event in Rivers State on Monday, Wike asked the APC National Secretary to stay away from Rivers politics.
READ ALSO:Rivers: You Cannot Bring The Spirit Of PDP Into APC – Bashir Ahmad Warns Wike
Reacting, Basiru, in a statement, asked Wike to resign his appointment and focus on what he described as an “obsession” with Rivers State politics.
Wading into the matter, Igbokwe, in a post on Facebook, said the face-off is uncalled for and unnecessary.
He said, “The altercations between Hon. Minister FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the National Secretary APC Nigeria, Ajibola Basiru, are totally uncalled for and unnecessary. It is a needless distraction.
“If out of annoyance you remove your cap and throw it away, a made man will pick it up and use it forever. Let the misunderstanding cease to exist now.”
Politics
Rivers SSG, Anabraba Formally Joins APC
The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Benibo Anabraba, has formally joined the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Anabraba had earlier resigned his membership of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Monday morning but did not immediately disclose his next political affiliation.
In a statement from Juliana Masi, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the SSG, confirmed that Anabraba had completed his registration as an APC member.
According to the statement, “Dr Anabraba registered his membership on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Ward 1, Unit 1, Bob-Manuel’s Compound, Abonnema, Akuku Toru LGA of the State.”
READ ALSO:Resign As Minister, Face Your Obsession With Rivers – APC National Secretary Slams Wike
“The SSG said the registration formally confirms his identity as a party member and enables him to fully participate in all APC activities, and most importantly to support His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, in his Rivers First mission and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.”
Masi quoted Anabraba as saying that a strong collaboration between Rivers State and the Federal Government “is bound to produce greater benefits for the good of the people.”
Politics
Rivers: You Cannot Bring The Spirit Of PDP Into APC – Bashir Ahmad Warns Wike
Bashir Ahmad, a former presidential media aide, has warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against bringing disrupting the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Ahmad has told Wike he cannot the “spirit” of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is not needed within the APC.
He stated this in reaction to the war of words between the FCT Minister and APC’s national secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
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“The National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru has reminded Nyesom Wike that his support for President Bola Tinubu, does not automatically make him a member of the APC,” Ahmad wrote on X.
“Millions of non-APC Nigerians also support Mr. President and his own is no different.
“His attempt to destabilise the Party in Rivers State will not be tolerated and he cannot bring the spirit of PDP into the APC.”
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