Politics
Dj Switch Switches Onto High Tempo For #EndBadGovernance2024
The proponents of the looming #EndBadGovernance2024 protests in Nigeria have been urged to get their priorities right and remain focused, or quash the idea entirely.
Dj Switch made the assertion in a post on X on Thursday, where she made it clear that those in power understand the mentality of the people and what strings to pull to frustrate the move.
She noted that “While they may be on edge about this planned protest, especially after seeing the events in Kenya, I promise you that they can bet their left balls that nothing will happen.”
Without being decisive, the #EndBadGovernance2024 would end up like previous efforts, she noted.
ALSO READ: FGN Closes In On Protests’ Champions
Dj Switch matained that unless something was done to win-over the “unfortunate Nigerians that traded their brains and patriotism for alomo bitters, (who) are a huge obstacle to those of us that want a working nation. I don’t care what tribe you are from, or religion you belong to, we NEED to unite if we want actual change.”
Recall that Dj Switch was one of the key actors in the #EndSARS protests, which jolted the President Buhari administration.
Dj Switch wrote, “I was not going to speak on this issue because I’ve experienced first-hand the cowardice of many Nigerians but my love for Nigeria is literally haunting me! So here it goes:
“They say that there is a time for everything. A time to sleep, play, work, fight or die! Africa, as a whole needs to know what fucking time it is!
“If you recognize what time it is, then you know what to do! Mind you, the cabals running Nigeria, Nigeria especially are smarter than you all might think. While they may be on edge about this planned protest, especially after seeing the events in Kenya, I promise you that they can bet their left balls that nothing will happen. That being said, many have been advised to “show” support for our fundamental human right to freedom of expression for two reasons:
“1. So that there is a record of them supporting it and;
“2. To guide you all like babies to do your protest and go and sleep.
“So, the question really is this, do you know what time it is? Because if you don’t, just kukuma go and sleep and if you do, then prepare to take the bull by the horn.
“You need to understand that whether you japa or stay, they don’t care! Nigeria is a mining ground for these devils. They take and take with no single thought or care as to where the nation ends up… wasteland!
“The tribal division they’ve sown amongst us was a desperate move on their broken chessboard which should have fallen flat on its face but there are those of us who are so selfish, shortsighted and wicked. They will sell their children for the brown envelope. These unfortunate Nigerians that traded their brains and patriotism for alomo bitters are a huge obstacle to those of us that want a working nation. I don’t care what tribe you are from or religion you belong to, we NEED to unite if we want actual change.
“I’m expecting the bots to call me all sorts of names as usual, like I give a shit! Mosquito disturb me pass those ones. But if you keep missing your opportunity to send these thieves back to where they belong then soon you all will be like the girl/boy who cried wolf!
“#istandwiththeprotest #takeNigeriaback #aworkingnigeria”
Politics
BREAKING: Conservative Party Elects Badenoch As New Leader
The influence of Nigeria on the political leadership of the United Kingdom (UK) has attained a new high, with the Conservative Party (CP), electing Kemi Badenoch as its new leader.
In an election by the Tory on Saturday, the Nigerian-born Badenoch won with 53,806 votes, which makes her the first black woman to occupy such position in the UK politics.
Biztellers reports that her election makes her the UK’s opposition leader.
The new leader, who has strong potential of becoming the Prime Minister of the UK was born Olukemi Adegoke. Her parents are Nigerian, though she was born in the UK.
Politics
#OndoDecides2024: INEC Ends PVC Collection
As part of efforts to ensure credible, free and fair conduct of the upcoming Ondo State gubernatorial election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has drawn the curtain on collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).
This was disclosed by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Friday.
ALSO READ: BREAKING: INEC Consults With CSOs On Ondo Guber
The offseason election is billed for November 16, 2024 and is being greeted with high levels of enthusiasm by political actors.
This has yielded an impressive PVC collection rate of 71.6%.
Prof Yakubu stated, “As part of our preparations for the election, the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), mainly from the recent voter registration, ended three days ago.
“I am pleased to announce that a total of 64,273 PVCs were collected by voters out of the 89,777 cards delivered to the State. This represents an impressive collection rate of 71.6%.”
Politics
New Tax Reforms Will Benefit All Regions Equally – Tinubu
The Presidency has clarified that the proposed tax reforms, including changes to Nigeria’s Value-Added Tax (VAT) distribution model, are intended to benefit all regions equally.
This response follows opposition from the Northern Governors’ Forum, a coalition of governors from Nigeria’s 19 northern states, who expressed concern over aspects of the reform at a meeting held on October 28.
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Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this in a statement released on Thursday.
Led by Governor Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, the governors, supported by traditional rulers like the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, cautioned that the proposed VAT model might disadvantage their states.
The statement reads, “While we commend the Governors and traditional rulers for supporting President Bola Tinubu over the success recorded in addressing the country’s security challenges, we consider it necessary to address the misunderstandings and misgivings around the tax reform already embarked upon by the administration.
“President Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council recently endorsed new policy initiatives aimed at streamlining Nigeria’s tax administration processes, enhancing efficiency and eliminating redundancies across the nation’s tax operations.
“These reforms emerged after an extensive review of existing tax laws. The National Assembly is considering four executive bills designed to transform and modernise Nigeria’s tax landscape.
“First is the Nigeria Tax Bill, which aims to eliminate unintended multiple taxation and make Nigeria’s economy more competitive by simplifying tax obligations for businesses and individuals nationwide.
“Second, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill (NTAB) proposes new rules governing the administration of all taxes in the country. Its objective is to harmonise tax administrative processes across federal, state and local jurisdictions for ease of compliance for taxpayers in all parts of the country.
“Third, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill seeks to rename the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to better reflect the mandate of the Service as the revenue agency for the entire federation, not just the Federal Government.
“Fourth, the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill proposes the creation of a Joint Revenue Board to replace the Joint Tax Board, covering federal and all states’ tax authorities.
“The fourth bill also suggests establishing the Office of Tax Ombudsman under the Joint Revenue Board, which would serve as a complaint resolution body for taxpayers.
“It is instructive to note that these proposed laws will not increase the number of taxes currently in operation. Instead, they are designed to optimise and simplify existing tax frameworks.
“The tax rates or percentages will remain the same under these reforms, as they focus on ensuring a more equitable distribution of tax obligations without adding to the burden on Nigerians.
“The reforms will not lead to job losses. On the contrary, they are structured to stimulate new avenues for job creation by supporting a dynamic, growth-oriented economy.
“Importantly, these laws will not absorb or eliminate the duties of any existing department, agency, or ministry. Instead, they aim to harmonise revenue collection and administration across the federation to ensure efficiency and cooperation.
“At the moment, tax administration lacks coordination among federal, state, and local tax authorities, often resulting in overlapping responsibilities, confusion, and inefficiency. Without reform, this inefficiency will persist.
“The proposed laws aim to coordinate efforts between different tiers of government, resulting in better tax resource management and greater clarity for taxpayers.
“Under existing laws, taxes like Company Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax (PIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Petroleum Profits Tax (PPT), Tertiary Education Tax (TET), Value-Added Tax (VAT), and other taxing provisions in numerous laws are administered separately, with individual legislative frameworks.
“The proposed reforms seek to consolidate these multiple taxes, integrating CIT, PIT, CGT, VAT, PPT, and excise duties into a unified structure to reduce administrative fragmentation.
“On the proposed derivation-based VAT distribution model, which the Northern Governors oppose, it must be stressed that the new proposal, as enunciated in the Bill, is designed to create a fairer system.
“The current model for distributing VAT is based on where the tax is remitted rather than where goods and services are supplied or consumed.
“The ongoing tax reform seeks to correct the inherent inequity in the current derivation model as a basis for distributing VAT revenue.
“The new proposal before the National Assembly outlines a different form of derivation which considers the place of supply or consumption for relevant goods and services.
“This means that states in the Northern region that produce the food we eat should not lose out just because their products are VAT-exempt or consumed in other states.
“These reforms are critical to improving the lives of Nigerians and were not put forward by President Tinubu to undermine any part of the country.
“There is no better time than now for the National Assembly to give due consideration to these bills that will overhaul our tax systems and create the revenue all the tiers of government require to fund the development our country and people urgently need.” It added