This response follows allegations from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and several civil society organizations, who have called for the suspension of the tax laws’ implementation. These groups have raised concerns about possible discrepancies between the version of the laws passed by the National Assembly and those that were eventually gazetted and released to the public.

The controversial tax reform laws, which faced significant opposition from lawmakers in northern Nigeria during their passage, are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. The reforms, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, are described by the government as a major overhaul of the country’s tax system in decades.

The laws include the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, which will all operate under a single authority, the Nigeria Revenue Service, NIRS.

The Federal Government argues that these reforms are intended to simplify tax compliance, broaden the tax base, eliminate overlapping taxes, and modernize the revenue collection system across federal, state, and local governments.

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However, the reforms have come under scrutiny after a claim by Abdussamad Dasuki, a member of the House of Representatives (PDP, Sokoto). Dasuki alleged that the gazetted versions of the tax laws did not match those passed by the National Assembly. He claimed that several key provisions discussed and approved during legislative debates were missing or altered in the final documents released to the public.

During a session on Wednesday, Dasuki warned that these discrepancies could potentially undermine the legal standing of the new laws, as they might lack proper legislative approval. He called on the House Speaker to ensure that all relevant documents, including the harmonized versions, votes, and proceedings be examined by the Committee of the Whole.

In response, the House of Representatives moved quickly to address the allegations. On Thursday, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced the formation of a seven-member ad hoc committee to investigate the discrepancies. The committee is tasked with thoroughly reviewing the claims and submitting a report for further legislative action.

The alleged alterations include the removal of key provisions related to oversight and accountability that were originally approved by lawmakers.

Additionally, sources within the National Assembly claim that the gazetted versions of the laws introduced new coercive measures, such as arrest powers, garnishee orders without court approval, and mandatory USD computation, none of which were part of the versions ratified by Parliament.

As the investigation continues, the future of the tax reforms remains uncertain, with critics demanding that the discrepancies be addressed before the laws are implemented.

Source: Punch

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Abubakar said he was not desperate to lead the country, but was very eager for a better, secure and prosperous country.

According to Olateju, “Atiku Abubakar’s plan is to build a better Nigeria. So, it’s not about him being the president. It’s about having a better government, a good government that will be able to deliver for Nigerians.
It’s not a personal thing for him and that’s why some of us are with him. It’s not about Atiku must be president at all costs.”

He added that the movement in ADC was for repositioning of the country and taking it to great heights.

Claiming that Nigerians were facing challenges with the removal of fuel subsidy and attendant inflation, Abubakar said that a better Nigeria was possible with good leadership and that God was ready to use the coalition members to bring about a change in the country.

Source: The Nation

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According to the post, “Let it be known that a threat against Peter Obi or any of us is a threat against ALL of us”.

Atiku’s comments come days after the governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, warned Obi not to visit the state without security clearance.

Okpebholo claimed that the last time Obi visited the state and made a donation of N15 million to a nursing school in the state, there was unrest in Benin City, the state capital, leading to the death of some people.

The governor’s comments were met with outrage and criticisms.

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Binani’s media aide, Maulud Usman, confirmed the incident and said the former senator arrived in Yola and quietly declared her switch to the ADC in the company of close allies and associates.

“It wasn’t planned as an elaborate event, and there was no media invite, but the declaration has been made,” Usman said, noting that a more formal event to announce her new political affiliation is being planned.

Binani, who represented Adamawa Central in the Senate between 2019 and 2023, made history in 2022 by defeating five male aspirants to clinch the APC governorship ticket.

She lost narrowly to incumbent Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 election.

Her defection comes just days after PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was also reported to have formally joined the ADC.

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Recall that Atiku dumped the PDP, predicating his resignation on the trajectory the party has taken.

“The only thing that interests Atiku Abubakar is to become Nigeria’s President. I’m beginning to wonder whether a doctor prescribed ‘Presidency’ for him, and if he doesn’t become President, something will happen to him,” Olayinka stated.

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Atiku’s resignation came after admitting to the formation of the Alliance Democratic Congress, ADC, a coalition party seeking to unseat the incumbent administration.

The resignation was communicated in a letter dated Monday, July 14, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman, PDP, Jada 1 Ward, Jada Local Government Area, Adamawa State.

A copy of the letter was shared on X by the Special Assistant to the Media of the former Vice President on Wednesday.

Recall that Atiku and some other key stakeholders had recently joined a coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying they are a better political option for Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

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He emphasised the importance of accountability, stressing that every kobo must be properly utilised to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.

According to the former Vice President, there have been bizarre claims of animals being held accountable for missing public funds in recent years, adding that some of these claims were never investigated or punished to deter future offenders.

Read Also: Tinubu raises 2025 budget from ₦49.7trn to ₦54.2trn

Atiku further said the Federal Government has to be deliberate about putting mechanisms in place for public audit and accountability in its $1.07bn budgetary appropriation in the health sector.

He criticised the Federal Government for failing to provide a clear framework detailing how over $1bn would be spent in the primary health sector.

Atiku noted that while healthcare investment was essential for improving access to quality services, the government has a moral duty to disclose how these funds will be utilised.

The former Vice President stated that the Federal Government plans to expend a whopping $1.07bn in the primary health sector- the amount in addition to the N2.48tn earlier proposed for the health sector in the initial budget draft.

Atiku added that Nigerians deserve to know the details of these loans and how the funds will be spent. The budget should be accompanied by a clear policy framework explaining its disbursement.

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Speculations have risen about the impending political moves of the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

The building on which the banners and flags were spotted, reportedly belongs to Sen. Felix Kola Ogunwale, a PDP Chieftain who is also the immediate past Chairman of the Governing Council of the Osun State College of Technology, Ilesa, before he resigned his appointment earlier in the year.

Further fueling speculations of impending political re-alignments is the presence of a signpost bearing ‘ADC Osun State Secretariat’, in-between the ‘Atiku is Coming’ flags.

The mounting speculations are also connected to reports of moves by several political bigwigs in the country, to build a coalition of political forces that will unseat the incumbent President Bola Tinubu.

The reports of an impending coalition were further fuelled with the recent visit of Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, to Atiku Abubakar. The coalition, according to reports, is hoping to benefit from the tussle within the PDP, and the reported rift within some State chapters of the APC.

Speaking with Redio Afinju Correspondent, Sen. Felix Ogunwale insisted that he remains a Member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, but he fully supports the aspirations of Atiku Abubakar to become President.

Asked whether there are plans in place by forces loyal to Atiku Abubakar to move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogunwale declined comments, insisting that he is a Member of the PDP and will not give comments on happenings about or around another political party.

The 2027 Presidential race seems to be commencing in earnest with recent events and speculations about alignments and re-alignments pointing towards what is to come in an election expected to be keenly contested.

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According to him, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has disappeared from the spirit realm.

Read Also : Atiku, Obi, Saraki, Lamido begin 2027 coalition talks

Chukwudi, who is the General Overseer King of Kings Deliverance Ministries Worldwide, Gbonum Ulepa Ntezi, Ishielu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, gave the prophecy while speaking in an interview shortly after Trump defeated Kamala Harris.

He has now said Atiku will become president, as God has directed him to announce it again to Nigerians.

While decrying the release of fake prophecy by people he called puppet prophets, he declared that for many years, he prophesied that Atiku Abubakar will become president but has not yet happened and Nigerians are arguing that his prophecy is false.

He noted that the word of God does not fail.

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The committee, led by a former Foreign Affairs Minister, Tom Ikimi, was set up to address and manage all disciplinary matters.

Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, and others were reportedly summoned by the party to appear before the panel following a series of petitions against them bordering on allegations of anti-party activities and sabotage during the 2023 elections.

Five former governors of the PDP, led by Wike, allegedly worked against the party and its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during the 2023 election.

Wike, Seyi Makinde -Oyo State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi -Enugu State, Samuel Ortom -Benue State, and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State fell out with Atiku over the refusal of the former National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, to relinquish his position to a southerner.

The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, told reporters that Wike, alongside former members of the G-5, and others who were accused of anti-party activities were being summoned to face the panel.

The PDP chieftain insisted the probe of Wike and the others would not cause division in the party but rather instill discipline among members and prevent future reoccurrence of anti-party activity.

Meanwhile, a senior member of the PDP NWC, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorisation to comment, confirmed  that the NWC had submitted the report on anti-party activities of Wike and others to the Ikimi’s committee.

The source, however, said the panel had yet to invite Wike and others for the probe.

A member of the National Executive Committee, Timothy Osadolor, confirmed that the call for Wike’s suspension was strong.

Osadolor, the Deputy National Youth leader of the PDP said members of the party were considering penalties such as suspension and expulsion for those involved in anti-party activities during the last general elections.

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