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NDUME THE PETREL AND TINUBUS TAX REFORMS OF TROUBLE.By: Inuwa Bwala
NDUME THE PETREL AND TINUBUS TAX REFORMS OF TROUBLE.By: Inuwa Bwala
Intrigues, intimidation, blacknail,bribes, and lobbying were said to be part of the strategies used in the moves to get the 4 Tax Reform Bills presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu passed.
Unconfirmed reports had it that, Senators were offered N50m each, while N30m was dangled before each member of the House of Representatives.
Recalcitrant Senators and members were either threatened or blackmailed, even as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foot soldiers employed lobbying tactics to get the bills passed.
But like the infamous Third Term Bill of the Olusegun Obasanjo era, the bills seem to be heading for the dustbin. Nigerians, especially Northerners, have never been so united in opposing a particular government policy, as they did over the obvious ill-fated tax reform bill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In what could be described as a courageous stance against their own government, members of the rulling All Progressives Congress, APC, were in the vanguard of campaigning against the bill and may eventually shoot it down.
Both Senators and members of the House of Representatives, seem to tow the lines of the Northern Governors Forum, the Arewa Consultative Forum and the National Economic Council: all of whom advocated for the withdrawal of the bills, to allow for wider consultations and Public sensitization.
To them, the tax reform bills are delicate and require a deeper reflection on the mood and socio-economic realities of the country, before presentation, and passage.
In the face of attempts by their leadership to have the bills sail through, the lawmakers were vehement in opposing the passage of the bills, arguing that the mood of the country and the socio- economic realities in Nigeria cannot accommodate the assumed bebefits.
The petrel in the red chambers, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume: who represents Borno South Senatorial District, seem to have spoken the minds of other Nigerians, in the crusade against the tax bills.
To him, the benefits of the bill were only apparent to the President and his tax reform experts, but the generality of Nigerians are bound to suffer in the long run, if the bills are allowed.
Ndume, during plenary and in an interview with Channels Televission insists that the seeming desperation on the part of the leadership of National Assembly smacks of a plot to further deprive Nigerians of the dividends of democracy.
Ndume’s position was re-echoed in the House of Representative, where members shouted down attempts by the Speaker, Honorable Abbas, to get a soft landing for the bills.
While the Senate President, Godswill Akpadio seem to have had his way with the bills, using the gavel: referring all four bills to the Finance Committee, the story with the House of Representatives is a different ball game.
Debates on the bill have been differed for Tuesday in the House of Representatives apparently buying time to further lobby. But most vocal memberst of the house: names with held told me in confidence that, since the law requires the passage of the bills by both chambers of the National Assembly, any action taken by the Senate will be an exercise in futility, as the House of Representative is determined to shoot the bills down.
Whatever becomes the fate of the President’s four tax reform bills, it is clear that, the Executive and the leadership of the National Assembly may have their ways but as Senator Ndume said, the lawmakers will have their says.
NDUME THE PETREL AND TINUBUS TAX REFORMS OF TROUBLE.By: Inuwa Bwala
Troops Clear IEDs, Recover Items in Imo Offensive Operation
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have cleared multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and recovered items during an ongoing offensive operation in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
Security sources said the operation, conducted by troops of 34 Artillery Brigade in collaboration with other security agencies, is part of sustained efforts to dislodge suspected IPOB/ESN elements from the Ubah–Orsu axis.
The sources disclosed that at about 8:45 a.m. on May 1, troops advanced into the Mother Valley area following intelligence reports of possible re-infiltration by suspected fighters.
According to the sources, the troops also acted on credible intelligence indicating a suspected burial site of a late military officer, Capt. Stanley Chukwumerije Onweka, within the valley, with the aim of locating and possibly exhuming the remains for DNA analysis.
They added that during the advance, troops successfully detected and disposed of nine IEDs planted along the route.
The sources, however, said two civilian guides (pointers) sustained injuries from an IED explosion during the operation and were evacuated to a medical facility, but one later died en route, while the other is in stable condition.
Further exploitation of the area led to the recovery of IED-making materials, Biafran uniforms, ranks, belts, mats, and unserviceable motorcycles.
The sources noted that despite extensive search, the exact location of the suspected burial site could not be established.
They added that operations are ongoing in the area to maintain pressure on criminal elements and prevent further activities.
Troops Clear IEDs, Recover Items in Imo Offensive Operation
Army Graduates Drone Pilot Trainees in Sokoto
By Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army has graduated a new set of drone pilot trainees at the 8 Division Training School, Giginya Military Cantonment in Sokoto State.
Security sources said the ceremony, held on May 1, was attended by senior officers, including the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division and Commander Sector 2 Joint Task Force North-West Operation Fansan Yamma, Maj.-Gen. B.P. Koughna, alongside formation commanders, commanding officers and staff officers of the division.
According to the sources, the training focused on enhancing the operational capacity of personnel in the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
In his remarks, the GOC emphasised the importance of force protection and operational preparedness, noting that drone technology has become a critical force multiplier in modern military operations.
He said the effective use of UAVs would improve reconnaissance capabilities, optimise resource deployment and enhance overall operational efficiency.
The sources added that the event was conducted successfully without any incident.
Army Graduates Drone Pilot Trainees in Sokoto
Troops Neutralise Four Suspected Terrorists, Recover Arms in Katsina
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised four suspected terrorists during a patrol along Turare–Yantumaki Road in Katsina State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 11:40 a.m. on Friday when the troops came under attack by armed assailants while on routine patrol.
The sources disclosed that the soldiers responded swiftly, overpowering the attackers and killing all four suspects without recording any casualties on their side.
According to the sources, items recovered from the scene include one AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two motorcycles, multiple mobile phones, and cash amounting to N153,400.
They added that some of the recovered Android phones contained images of the suspects dressed in military uniforms and have been handed over for forensic analysis.
Preliminary intelligence identified the neutralised suspects as Bishir Holami, Jamilu Baki, Ibrahim Doro, and Abdurraman Maje.
The sources further revealed that the suspects were linked to a series of attacks in Gobirawa, Raddawa, Kuki, and other communities within Dutsinma and Matazu Local Government Areas.
They noted that the operation is considered a significant blow to a bandit network reportedly led by one Muhammadu Fulani, which has been associated with violent activities across Matazu, Musawa, Charanchi, and Kankia areas.
A security official said the development reflects ongoing intensified offensive operations aimed at curbing criminal activities and restoring normalcy in the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations.
Troops Neutralise Four Suspected Terrorists, Recover Arms in Katsina
Troops Clear IEDs, Recover Items in Imo Offensive Operation
Army Graduates Drone Pilot Trainees in Sokoto
Troops Neutralise Four Suspected Terrorists, Recover Arms in Katsina
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