Politics
HURIWA Demands ICPC Clarify Probe Of Newly Appointed Sports Commission Chairman
Amid Shehu Dikko’s recent appointment by President Bola Tinubu as Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to clarify the status of an investigation involving Dikko.
The NSC, which replaces the Ministry of Sports Development, will oversee key aspects of Nigeria’s sports administration, making the transparency of Dikko’s record a matter of public interest.
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In a statement, HURIWA’s National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko called on ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, to ensure full disclosure, referencing the alleged probe into Dikko.
“In the true spirit of open government and full disclosure, it is incumbent on the ICPC through the Executive Chairman to clarify publicly through a sworn affidavit on the status of the reported investigation in which the name of Shehu Dikko featured prominently, even though his legal representatives kicked against what they considered as an orchestrated media persecution of their client,” the statement read.
The call follows an incident in October 2022, when the ICPC announced it had seized Dikko’s Abuja property, claiming it was beyond what his earnings could reasonably justify.
The asset seizure was part of a larger anti-corruption investigation launched in 2019 that implicated multiple officials in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), including former president Amaju Pinnick.
At the time, Dikko, then vice-president of the NFF and chair of the Nigerian football league, denied wrongdoing.
His attorney, Mohammed Sani Katu, described the situation as “unfair media trial,” stating, “This unfair media trial has been going on since 2019 when the ICPC published notices in newspapers for seizure of my client’s and his colleagues’ assets without any court order to back the forfeiture of my client’s assets nor inviting our clients to explain.”
HURIWA, pointing to Dikko’s new position, insists that Nigerians have the right to know if the investigation is active or has been dropped.
“Nigerians deserve to know what has happened to the public notice by the ICPC on the said property of Shehu Dikko in the year 2022,” Onwubiko said, stressing that the update is critical for maintaining public trust.
“In as much as we are not accusing Shehu Dikko of any illegality, we believe that since the ICPC had taken out publicly advertised notices on the seizure of his Abuja property, now that Shehu Dikko is elevated to a prestigious national office, the good people of Nigeria should be adequately briefed on the status of that investigation which was dismissed as a witch hunt by legal counsels of Shehu Dikko.
“Moreover, since Nigeria has a freedom of information law, the ICPC is obligated to tell Nigerians all that they know on that matter and if it has been withdrawn then the ICPC should say so but apologise to Shehu Dikko,” HURIWA added.
HURIWA’s statement reflects its commitment to transparency and accountability, urging the ICPC to provide a conclusive update on the matter for the benefit of all Nigerians.
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
Politics
NLC Pondering Fresh Battles Over Minimum Wage
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) is contemplating fresh battles with the Federal Government of Nigeria over the minimum wage in light of the increasing cost of living.
Indications have emerged in the media that the NLC might call on the federal government to undertake a new review of the minimum wage in response to the rising cost of living.
President Joe Ajaero shared this information during the 8th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM). He emphasized that organized labor will firmly advocate for the government to fulfill its commitment to recommission the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries.
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He said: “As it is today, our choices are very limited. It is either we find a way to collectively overcome the forces that are bent on keeping us down as a people or we completely surrender to them while wringing our hands in hopelessness.
“The forces of neoliberalism must be challenged and the trade union movement remains the only viable force in Nigeria and in the world that can creatively engage it and mitigate its stranglehold on our nation.
“We must offer strong counterpoise to their prebendal logic and must proffer newer arguments to triumph over their quest for profit at the detriment of the social will. It is only by remaining strong and united that we can hope to achieve that.
“It is sad, but we cannot afford to keep our public refineries shut while still importing refined petroleum products. We demand a review of our salaries in lieu of its eroded values.
‘’We must together demand the re-commissioning of Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries in keeping with the agreement we had with the federal government on the 5th day of October, 2023.
“We therefore counsel the leadership that will emerge today, remember that your role is critical to securing the welfare of our healthcare workers. True leadership transcends titles and positions; it is reflected in the impact you have on the lives of those you serve.
“Advocating for fair working conditions, championing healthcare workers’ rights, and striving for equity are not just duties—they are the marks of meaningful leadership.”
Politics
Technical College Land: Osun Govt Reassures Osogbo People
The Osun State Government has assured the people of Osogbo land that the dispute over the land belonging to Osogbo Technical College will be resolved in favour of the capital city.
This was contained in a statement on Wednesday issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi.
Alimi also clarified that the dispute was inherited from the previous administration.
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The commissioner explained that Governor Ademola Adeleke met a legal dispute over the land when he assumed office in 2022, informing the public that a consent Judgment ceding the land to land owners was on ground as at 2022.
He narrated that the government was surprised that a school land could be returned to land owners when the school is still in existence and in need of such landed properties.
Alimi added that the government in its push to reclaim public land re-acquired the land, noting however that the subject is still in court which even sat on the matter yesterday.
In his words, “The government however wishes to state that only the best interest of Osogbo people must prevail in this matter. The government reassures Osogbo people that only their wishes will be supported and nothing will be done to negatively affect the communal interest of the state capital.”
According to Alimi, the government of Gov Adeleke is always for the interest of Osogbo in particular and Osun people in general, assuring that securing the disputed land for public good is paramount to the state leadership.