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National Assembly to accelerate tax reform bills on resumption today
National Assembly to accelerate tax reform bills on resumption today
The National Assembly will resume plenary today, with plans to expedite action towards passage of the tax reform bills, Newstrends has learned.
Following its first sitting of 2025 on January 14, both chambers adjourned until January 28, to allow various committees to conclude work on the defence of the 2025 Appropriation Bill presented to the parliament by President Bola Tinubu on the 18th of December, 2024.
However, the resumption was postponed to February 4, to allow committees sufficient time to complete ongoing engagements with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on the 2025 budget.
Before the legislative chambers went on their Yuletide recess, the four tax reform bills submitted by President Tinubu on October 13, 2024, had been a key focus, with legislators from the North, alongside northern governors and traditional leaders, calling for their withdrawal due to concerns that they would further impoverish the region.
During the recess, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) met with the Presidential Committee on Tax Policy and Fiscal Reforms, the promoters of the reforms, and reached a compromise, endorsing the bills with some adjustments.
Among other alterations, the governors proposed allocating 30% of Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue based on derivation, instead of the initially proposed 60%, as part of efforts to address the concerns surrounding the tax reform bills. They also suggested a revised sharing formula, with 50% of VAT revenue shared equally among states and the remaining 20% based on population, to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources.
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Initially, one of the tax reform bills had proposed a 60% VAT revenue share based on derivation, meaning states would receive funds proportional to the VAT generated within their territories. This had led to significant pushback from governors and lawmakers, particularly from the northern region.
Following the compromise, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State stated that the governors would now seek the support of their legislators to ensure the bills’ passage in line with the agreed-upon consensus.
Our reporter learnt from credible sources that various stakeholders including some governors are closely monitoring what would transpire in the National Assembly.
“The communiqué issued by the governors is their position and they look forward to mutual understanding from the legislators,” a source close to one of the governors, said.
Bills set for accelerated consideration
Sources close to the leaderships of the Senate and the House of Representatives informed Daily Trust yesterday that the bills would be given accelerated hearings as lawmakers resume today.
However, it was gathered that the House of Representatives would likely postpone discussion on the bill until Wednesday, as Tuesday’s session would be dedicated to a valedictory session for its late Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, who died on January 15 after a brief illness.
One source revealed that the Senate, which had passed the bill for second reading, would continue to fine-tune the bills in accordance with the agreement reached by the governors.
Earlier, the Senate had forwarded the bills to its committee on finance and mandated it to conduct public hearing within six weeks and revert.
In the House of Representatives, the legislators had suspended indefinitely, the debate on the tax reform bills. The planned debate was called off in a memo signed by the Clark of the House, Dr Yahaya Danzaria as 73 northern lawmakers kicked against the bills.
The lawmakers are aiming to pass the bills as soon as possible, with the target set for completion by the end of March, according to one source.
Earlier, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax Policy and Fiscal Reforms, disclosed that the bills are expected to be passed into law in the first quarter of 2025.
Oyedele also mentioned that implementation of the tax reform bills is expected to begin in July.
“I need to talk about the tax reforms. Part of the expectation is that the tax reforms, particularly the tax reform bills, will be approved in 2025. Our expectation is that this will happen before the end of Q1 so we can notify taxpayers to prepare and begin implementation by July 1,” he said in late January.
National Assembly to accelerate tax reform bills on resumption today
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Akpabio sues Natasha for ₦200bn over sexual harassment allegations
Akpabio sues Natasha for ₦200bn over sexual harassment allegations
Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio has instituted a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of spreading malicious sexual harassment allegations that he says have severely damaged his public image.
According to documents filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Akpabio is seeking substantial damages, public retractions, and nationwide broadcast apologies. He argues that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s televised, radio, and online interviews portrayed him as a sexual predator who abused his office for personal gratification—claims he insists subjected him to widespread ridicule and reputational harm.
The lawsuit includes a comprehensive statement of claims and a list of witnesses. Akpabio is also asking the court to compel the removal of all online materials containing the disputed allegations and to order repeated public apologies across major media outlets.
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A court order issued on 6 November 2025 granted permission for substituted service through the Clerk of the National Assembly after initial attempts to reach Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan directly were unsuccessful. The case is now moving forward and is expected to become one of the most closely watched political legal battles in Nigeria.
Responding on 5 December 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed receipt of the suit and expressed readiness to defend her allegations before a competent court. She stated that she had previously been prevented from presenting a petition before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges due to claims that a related case was already in court—an action she believes protected the Senate President from legislative scrutiny.
In a strongly worded response, the Kogi Central senator maintained that the court proceedings will finally provide the platform to substantiate her claims. She reiterated her stance that she experienced sexual harassment and that her refusal to comply with the alleged advances prompted sustained political retaliation.
“See you in court, Godswill Akpabio,” she declared.
Akpabio sues Natasha for ₦200bn over sexual harassment allegations
News
NLC threatens nationwide protests as insecurity worsens, withdraws support for Labour Party
NLC threatens nationwide protests as insecurity worsens, withdraws support for Labour Party
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that it will no longer remain passive as criminal gangs intensify violent attacks across the country, declaring its readiness to hold a national day of mourning and mobilise nationwide protests over the escalating insecurity in Nigeria.
Speaking at the opening of the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the country was “under siege,” condemning the latest school kidnapping and the reported withdrawal of security personnel before the attack. He demanded a full investigation to expose any possible compromise within the nation’s security architecture.
“The NLC cannot stand idly by and allow criminals to take over our country—never again. We want to know who ordered the withdrawal of security operatives from that school. We will not allow kidnappers and bandits to overrun our nation,” Ajaero said.
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He stressed that the labour movement would soon announce details of the planned protests and national mourning, insisting the lives of teachers, students and workers were in grave danger. “It is getting out of hand. We can no longer bear this,” he added.
Ajaero also revealed that the NLC had withdrawn its representatives from the Labour Party, accusing them of pursuing personal interests rather than representing workers.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, who addressed the meeting, warned that the country was in “serious trouble” over rising kidnappings and attacks. He rejected calls for foreign military intervention, cautioning that such a move would undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Falana criticised recent statements by former U.S. President Donald Trump, describing them as unacceptable. He urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action to protect citizens, saying: “We want to let the world know that we are not a conquered people.”
He called on labour unions, civil society organisations and Nigerians to prepare to resist any further decline in national security.
NLC threatens nationwide protests as insecurity worsens, withdraws support for Labour Party
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Boris Johnson Hails Kemi Badenoch as “Future UK Prime Minister” During Visit to Nigeria
Boris Johnson Hails Kemi Badenoch as “Future UK Prime Minister” During Visit to Nigeria
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has praised UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, describing her as a “future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom” during his visit to Nigeria for the Imo State Economic Summit 2025.
Speaking in Owerri, Imo State, on Thursday, Johnson commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for his efforts to boost economic development and improve security, noting that he felt “perfectly safe” despite earlier warnings about Nigeria’s security situation.
Johnson highlighted the state government’s push to deliver 24-hour electricity, stressing that reliable power and clean, sustainable energy are essential for economic growth as the world moves into an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven future.
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He also emphasized the strong historical and economic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, praising the exchange of goods, services, and highly skilled professionals between both countries.
In a humorous remark that sparked applause, Johnson said: “We send you former UK prime ministers, and you send us future UK prime ministers in the form of Kemi Badenoch.”
The summit, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, business mogul Aliko Dangote, and other top government and private-sector leaders, focused on strategies to accelerate Imo State’s economic transformation.
Boris Johnson Hails Kemi Badenoch as “Future UK Prime Minister” During Visit to Nigeria
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