Television Nigerian

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has demanded that the recently passed Tax Reform Acts be immediately suspended, citing disputes that seriously undermine the legitimacy of Nigeria’s legislative process.

The group warned that the developments strike at the core of the nation’s constitutional government and stated that the circumstances surrounding the legislation’ passing have generated serious doubts about the integrity, transparency, and credibility of the legislative process.

The NBA emphasized in a statement issued by its president, Mazi Afam Osigwe, on Tuesday that the problems with the Tax Reform Acts raised concerns about whether established legislative norms and due process were carefully adhered to in a democratic society.

In order to shed light on the circumstances behind the enactment of the laws and to rebuild public trust in the National Assembly, the NBA called for a thorough, transparent, and open investigation.

“All plans for the implementation of the Tax Reform Acts should be immediately suspended until these issues are thoroughly examined and resolved,” he stated.

The NBA claims that the controversy’s legal and policy ambiguity poses significant threats to economic stability.

They added that the lack of clarity might cause instability for individuals, companies, and institutions expected to adhere to the new tax regime, as well as disrupt the business environment and undermine investor confidence.

The association said that such a level of uncertainty is incompatible with the rule of law and might have serious repercussions for the economy if ignored.

The NBA emphasized the need for transparent, responsible, and impenetrable systems to produce laws with significant economic and social ramifications.

“Anything less than this weakens the foundation upon which lawful governance rests and undermines public trust,” the statement stated.

As a result, the NBA urged all pertinent authorities to take prompt, responsible action to resolve the dispute in the best interests of economic stability, constitutional order, and the upholding of the rule of law.

In response to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s recent defection to the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Rivers State residents to cast resounding votes for both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Fubara.

Ajibola Basiru, the APC National Secretary, made the request while speaking to party members in the state.

Rivers State Television posted a video of Basiru’s comments on Facebook.

Basiru gave a speech on Monday at the launching of the Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters in Elimgbu, according to the Rivers State Government House.

Basiru congratulated the governor and the party, stating that the APC benefited from Fubara’s performance in office.

“When the governor is doing well, it simply means that our party is doing well, so I congratulate both our party and our governor,” he declared.

“But continuing to vote for our party, the APC, in every election is the only way you can compensate the governor and our party members of Rivers State.”

In the upcoming elections, including the presidential race, the APC scribe expressed confidence that Rivers State will provide the party with a large number of votes.

“And I am aware that our party, our governor, and our president will receive enormous numbers of votes in Rivers State in the upcoming general election,” Basiru continued.

Due to Fubara’s defection to the APC, the ruling party now controls all of the South-South region’s states, a significant political change in a region that has traditionally been ruled by the Peoples Democratic Party.

Following months of political unrest in Rivers State that put him against his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the governor took this action a few days after visiting President Tinubu.

A split House of Assembly, threats of impeachment, and the president’s declaration of a six-month state of emergency were all consequences of the crisis.

APC officials have stepped up their attempts since Fubara’s defection to position him as the party’s political leader in Rivers and a significant electoral asset in front of the federal elections in 2027.

Speculation that the party is preparing the governor for a second term has also been stoked by the demand for large numbers of votes.

Ita Enang, a former presidential adviser and ambassadorial candidate, had previously told Premium Times that the APC leadership agreed to give defecting governors automatic return tickets.

Basiru’s remarks seemed to confirm such viewpoint by directly associating sustained support for Fubara’s administration with support for the APC.

In defiance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s order to remove police officers from VIP protection responsibilities, the Nigerian military has detained four police officers for reportedly offering an unapproved escort service to a VIP.

Zagazola Makama was informed by police sources that the arrest occurred on December 17 at approximately 9:30 a.m. while the officers were supposedly on escort duty.

Inspector Awipi Terry of 21 PMF, Inspector Hassan Baba of 50 PMF, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Musa Waziri and Inspector Jeremiah Achimogu of 45 Police Mobile Force, Abuja, were among those detained.

Security sources claim that the policemen were arrested by military soldiers for allegedly disobeying a presidential directive prohibiting police officers from offering VIP escort services.

The sources further revealed that the police officers were allegedly trying to avoid detection and mislead law enforcement officials by dressing in uniforms similar to those of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The policemen were detained after their arrest, and it was reported that disciplinary actions were taken against them in accordance with Nigeria Police Force norms.

In an effort to reallocate personnel to core policing duties and internal security operations around the nation, the Federal Government had already ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers from unapproved VIP protection duty.

The directive was intended to address growing security issues around the country and increase police presence for routine law enforcement.

Salman-Dogo Garba, the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police who oversees Zone 5 Headquarters in Benin, has issued an order for the strategic deployment of police officers and operational resources throughout the zone for Yuletide.

The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO), SP Tijani Momoh, made this claim in a statement on Tuesday.

Zone 5, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), includes the states of Edo and Delta.

According to Garba, the deployment was made to guarantee a hassle-free, seamless, safe, and peaceful Yuletide celebration throughout the zone.

Additionally, he stated that it was in accordance with the orders given to all zonal AIGs by Inspector-General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun to bolster security, step up patrols, conduct visibility policing, and carry out other intelligence-led activities during that time.

In order to do this, the deployment will concentrate on places of worship, recreational facilities, marketplaces, theme parks, event spaces, transportation hubs, and other densely inhabited areas.

He said, “Patrol teams, surveillance units, and traffic personnel have also been deployed to cover interstate routes, major expressways, and link roads to check road-related crimes and ensure free flow of traffic.”

As they celebrate Christmas and New Year’s, the AIG used the platform to send their heartfelt congratulations to all Christian believers and other Zone inhabitants.

In order to ensure that the Yuletide celebrations are peaceful, he urged the public to assist the police and other security services.

Additionally, he urged the people to be mindful of security and notify the closest police station of any unusual movement, person, or activity.

In keeping with his promise made during the budget presentation earlier on Monday, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has granted 27.5 Teachers Specific Allowance (TSA) for teachers throughout the state.

The governor ordered that the allowance be given to teachers starting in January 2026.

Under CONKWESS I, instructors with TRCN certification are eligible for a 27.5% allowance throughout the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), whereas those without TRCN are eligible for a 21% allowance.

The governor praised teachers for their efforts in nation-building and once again recognized their vital role and dedication to the education sector.

Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, has pledged that his administration won’t impose any additional taxes.

Makinde said in a media interaction with reporters that the state has not increased taxes for more than six years.

He clarified that the goal of his government is to include more individuals in the current tax system.

He referred to the strategy as a “chicken-and-egg” situation, raising concerns about whether it is preferable to increase taxes first or foster an atmosphere that is favorable to economic expansion.

“You build a productive economy when you create a living environment that allows individuals and businesses to increase production.” You won’t be able to successfully increase revenue until then, according to Makinde.

The governor underlined that the administration’s top goal is to promote economic expansion in order to provide a stable and equitable tax system for the people of the state.

Makinde, meantime, has promised not to back President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 reelection campaign.

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday in the state capital of Ibadan, Makinde took a jab at Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, saying that people ought to have the freedom to select their political allies.

He clarified that Wike cannot force people to make political decisions.

Makinde claims that the former governor of Rivers State announced that he would hold the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Tinubu in 2027 while he was at a meeting with Wike, President Tinubu, and a few other people.

Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, said he was astonished by Wike’s statement and that he would not be involved in any such schemes.

Makinde went on to say that his decision to oppose Tinubu in 2027 is based on the necessity of preserving Nigeria’s democracy, the PDP’s continued viability as a political party, and the nation’s avoidance of becoming a one-party state.

He claims that the FCT Minister offered to host the PDP for President Tinubu, not the president himself.

“I was shocked when Nyesom Wike offered to hold the PDP for Tinubu against 2027 while I was in a meeting with President Tinubu, Wike, and others,” the governor stated.

“I will not back the president in 2027, but Mike can.”