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Adamawa Supplementary Election: Declaration of Results by REC Amounts to Civilian Coup -Sen. Shehu Sani

… Commends INEC for Suspending Collation of Results

Former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for taking the bold step to suspend the collation of the Adamawa State supplementary governorship poll.

According to the Former lawmaker, a situation, where the Resident Electoral Commission declared the APC governorship candidate the winner of the election as against the Returning Officer while the election process is still on “is equivalent to a civilian coup.”

Sen. Shehu Sani who disclosed this in a swift reaction to the what he termed ‘Ilegal declaration” by Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner in a statement personally signed and made available to journalists in Kaduna today commended Professor Mahmud Yakubu and the INEC for prompt intervention.

He further stated ,”It was obvious that the REC was out to truncate democracy in the state and by extension Nigeria if his action was allowed unchecked .

He expressed joy that the statement signed by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education, Barrister Festus Okoye ,where the electoral umpire slammed the action of the Adamawa REC, saying it usurps the power of the Returning Officer is highly appreciated.

Noting that the good step about the statement is that it declared the announcement ,”… null, void and of no effect. Consequently, the collation of results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended.”

Senator Shehu Sani’s Statement further reads: ” The declaration by Adamawa REC is an equivalent of a civilian coup.

“The action of the Rec stands condemnable. Our democracy can’t survive if we condone such brazen act of criminality and brigandage.

He however, said it not enough to summon the REC and other perpetrators but also advised that ,”The REC and the security men, who perpetrated the acts must be prosecuted.

While stressing that “Our political culture and attitude to election needs chemotherapy,he noted , “The Dangerous trend in our electoral system has gone beyond the culture of Violence,Vote buying and falsification of results to the most obnoxiously and brazenly crude phase of taking over the collation center,seizing the Mic and illegally declaring the results of an election.”

HARD-WON DEMOCRACY, 2023 GENERAL ELECTION AND THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT.

HARD-WON DEMOCRACY, 2023 GENERAL ELECTION AND THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT.

By Comrade Musa Mohammed

Why are some misguided elements planning or hoping for interim government in Nigeria following the messy elections of the year.

It’s now 24 years after the Nigerian military handed over political power to civilians, not many people wish to have it back in the usurped executive and legislative roles.

And, in fairness to it, some of its top functionaries have been assuring Nigerians lately that theirs is to provide support for the police and boost internal security anytime they’re called upon to do so at this volatile point in the nation’s democratic journey.

Keeping faith with those briefs, in the face of electoral frustrations still simmering among a sizable part of the populace, would guarantee more respect for our soldiers and give the country enough space and time to deepen its hard-won democracy.

Suggestion(s) for interim government is being made to look like some kind of mutiny, treason, coup plot or anti-state activity that cannot be tolerated in Nigeria because, it is said, interim government is not in the Nigerian Constitution! How farfetched, dogmatic and opinionated! Indeed, it is being broadcast that interim government is anti-Nigerian Constitution and cannot be allowed in Nigeria!

I was surprised when i saw people took their protestations against the outcomes of the recent federal and state elections to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja,

Those who were surprised by the brashness of that desperate crowd may still be treated to other awkward dramas before the May 29, 2023 handover date.

The plot being pursued by these entrenched interests as not only an aberration but a mischievous way to set aside the constitution and undermine civil rule as well as plunge the country into crisis.

The illegality is totally unacceptable in a democracy and to the peace-loving Nigerians.

No matter how strongly anyone feels about the results of the February 25 and March 18 elections, deliberately pushing for something clearly beyond the reach of the constitution at this point would be unpatriotic, reckless and risky. No right-thinking person or responsible country stands to gain from such gambling.

Seek Legal Redress If You’re Not Satisfied with Election and Eschew Violence, EU, AU, Commonwealth, ECOWAS Missions Tell Political Parties.

“We call on all those with grievances to address disputes through prescribed legal channels.”

Presenting their preliminary reports on the Presidential/National Assembly Elections, the European Union, African Union, Commonwealth, ECOWAS Missions to the 2023 Nigeria’s Election while admitting that this election was better than past elections.

Those (misguided elements) organising to thwart democracy in the country to retract from their devious schemes and orchestrations will not succeed by the grace of Almighty God.

I think such a treasonable offence should be tackled with a mere appeal to the suspects to see reason, instead of arresting them for proper investigation and possible prosecution.

The gravity of the accusations levelled against the president-in-waiting and his party, there’s absolutely no reason why the normal judicial course shouldn’t be followed to its logical conclusion. Thankfully, the aggrieved parties who initiated the litigation are still on it. We can hope and press that the courts realise the sensitivity of the moment and commit due diligence to their duties.When Nigerians see that justice and fairness are well served, they’ll embrace peace.

The right to protest must be religiously protected by every responsible government and this right should not be obfuscated with any laws or policy that would make a protester think twice before enjoying such rights. Indeed one of the greatest benefits of democracy is the freedom that every member of the society is bequeathed.

I unblinkingly support every and any Nigerian who has the courage and goodwill to speak the minds of the people, no matter whose ox is gored. Furthermore, it’s extremely crucial to point out that we arrived our current political climate owing to great and selfless minds who were wiling to be tagged enemy of the state all in a bid to wrestle power from the oppressive military regimes.

The elements planning or hoping for interim government in Nigeria should be arrested, prosecuted, and jailed for treason.

UBA SANI: ‘THE EMERGENCE OF A GOOD POLITICAL LEADER’

UBA SANI: ‘THE EMERGENCE OF A GOOD POLITICAL LEADER’

BY COMRADE MUSA MOHAMMED

‘Uba Sani’s Administration will enhance governance in kaduna state and improve the standard of life for every citizens and residents ….’

Uba Sani is person with good political leadership skills which make him to be a successful leader.

A successful leader who has a visionary dream and understands how to turn his visions into success stories in the modern world.

There’s two things i found with UBA SANI that’s why i stand with him and supported him, ‘Honesty and Integrity’.
Honesty and Integrity are two main elements that makes UBA SANI a strong leader.

The Uba Sani i knew, is a leader who is capable of making the right decision at the right time. Is a leader that take actions that have a huge effect on people. Is a leader who always think long and hard before taking a decision but stand by it once the decision is made.

Uba Sani is a Man with a vision and purpose ‘leader with intent and vision’.

The people of Kaduna state should know that the governor Elect, Sen. Uba Sani, is a political leader whose first goal is representing one’s government, not just oneself.

He is a strong leader that balance his actions with what is right for his people and living by the maxim,” the state before self. Is a political leader that’s able to take severe actions in the interest of the state if required.

As a democratic leader, Uba Sani recognized the benefits and most importantly, the disadvantages of democracy, and guide, honor, and listen to his supporters while encouraging mutual accountability and team-work.

He is a political leader who travelled widely, attending important gatherings within the country and outside. This is imperative as the leader will establish valuable networks and expertise with other internationally renowned leaders.

Sen. Uba Sani is a political leader who have a global perspective.

His Administration will enhance governance in kaduna state and improve the standard of life for every citizens/resident in Kaduna clearly aims at good governance standards, fairness, and accountability in all divisions, enhancing the standard of services in the region, recognizing and promoting successful public service candidates at all levels of governance, thereby promoting and ensuring good governance.

Alleged NNPCL N20bn payment to ghost consultants, NYCN got it wrong

Alleged NNPCL N20bn payment to ghost consultants, NYCN got it wrong

Apparently angry over what it termed Fictitious and unfounded publication by online platform , the Promoters of Good Governance in Oil and Gas Sector said Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) story about alleged payment of 20 Billion Naira to ghost consultants by management of National Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is absolutely wrong .

According to the statement signed by Alhaji Muhammad Salis,National Chairman, Promoters of Good Governance In Oil & Gas Sector , the story is no doubt a figment of the imagination of the writer, as it lacks verifiable source and authenticity.

…Read full press statement by the Group

It is with with utmost dismay we read a report by an online platform which alleges payment of N20bn to ghost consultants by the management of NNPCL.

The story is no doubt a figment of the imagination of the writer, as it lacks verifiable source and authenticity.

From my experience with the NNPCL, and for the benefits of hindsight, the organization do relate only with registered and verifiable companies that meet global standard.

The allegation by the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria as presented by an online media platform, is fictitious, grievous unfounded and was only aimed at distracting the positive progress if the biw improved company, while tarnishing the good image of the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari, who is known for his transparency, uprightness, dedication and patriotism.

Mele Kolo Kyari is no doubt a compendium of transparency in the oil and gas sector and has remained so in his many years in the field of oil and gas sector.

The last thing Kyari would ever allow, is illegality to occur under his watch. He is a stickler of transparency and accountability.

When Kyari emerged as CEO of the NNPCL, the oil and gas sector begun to witness robust transformations and there was growing hope and confidence building among stakeholders, which some disgruntled elements are now hell bent to tarnish, using remotely faceless civil society organisations that are not conversant with the goings on in the sector.

One would have hoped that, instead of dissipating energies aimed at destroying the good work of the CEO, by the NYCN and their paymasters, their attention should rather be set on how to make the oil and gas sector the best for the country, by joining hands with the Mele Kyari led management that charts a new course in the oil and gas sector of the country.

For the avoidance of doubt, the first measure introduced by the Kyari-led management team was his agenda entitled: Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE). And this agenda was aimed at turning around the moribund organisation and not to encourage illegality, either through dubious practices, lack of transparency or lack of accountability.

It was on this premise, the President, Muhammad Buhari saw the merit and competence in Kyari and thus reappointed him to turn around the ‘moribund’ organization, which he has started since his first appointment.

In all his years as CEO, Kyari had always aimed at changing the negative perception of the organisation, while keeping abreast with the global best practices.

Now that the nation’s oil and gas sector has started getting out of the woods with a glimmer of hope for the country, a pocket of armchair critics are busy promoting sentimental ill feelings to destroy the good work, using faceless organizations to achieve their negative objectives.

For those who know the CEO too well, knew that Kyari would never join issues with them either in the pages of newspapers or on any media platform.

But as NNPCL, under Kyari is making waves in the oil and gas industry by keeping to its mandate which is making the sector functional in the best interest of Nigerian citizens and the country at large, we feel duty bound to correct the erroneous impression of calling him to step aside, as presented by the NYCN civil society organisation. To say the least, the call is uncalled-for, misleading and unpatriotic.

As promoter of accountability and transparency, Kyari has been reputed at welcoming every oversight by the legislative body, even without notice and invitations from the lawmakers. He always clarified issues at every invitation but would never succumb to the antics of those who are out to destroy his good works.

If the calls for his stepping aside are sincere, why can’t the NYCN and their paymasters follow due process instead of planning to cause commotion in the country?

The silent achievements being recorded in the organization, which many thought were impossible to occur, have written Kyari’s name in gold.

Of course, the category of people who sees nothing good in the giant strides as initiated by the Chief Executive Officer are doing so in constant fears that their negative ways of doing things were over, hence, are now calling for the head of the CEO instead of following due process to channel their grievances, if any.

What make the Mele Kyari leadership very unique is his handling and the opening of the books of NNPC in a way never seen as a means of ensuring transparency and accountability in the country with constant financial reporting.

Therefore those calling for Kyari’s head because of what they perceived as irregularities in handling and alleged manipulation of the fuel subsidy, should avoid causing commotion in the country, while using disgruntled groups in achieving their nefarious plans.

So far, Mele Kyari has written his name in gold. He has chart a new course in the oil and gas sector of the country and the sector can never forget him in a hurry.

As an outstanding personality, a humble and visionary leader, who has zero tolerance for indiscipline, corruption and lawlessness, Kyari sleeps and wakes up with performance indices and the principles of working for his country. Hence, those uncomfortable with his leadership style are bound to fail woefully, as no slur or mud could stick to his unblemished reputation.

Signed:

Alhaji Muhammad Salis,

National Chairman,

Promoters of Good Governance

In Oil & Gas Sector.

Kaduna Guber: Sen. Uba Sani Remains Indispensable; Here Is Why

Kaduna Guber: Sen. Uba Sani Remains Indispensable; Here Is Why.

BY Comrade Musa Mohammed

kaduna 2023 governatorial election was better than past elections were “largely peaceful” but equally has glitches, violence can never be an option to show grievances, but rather candidates and their parties should seek legal redress as provider under Nigeria’s law.

it is undisputable fact Uba Sani won the election, and he was declared winner.

Despite the opposition’s massive gang-up, mountain of alleged lies, criticism, mockery and rejection, fabricating many aspects of his life story, still won the kaduna governatorial election, that’s why he ‘Remains Indispensable’.

Aggrieved candidates should take their concerns to court, and those calls for protests, will only escalate tension.

Sen. Uba Sani is the best person for the position.

“The 2023 election was Africa’s largest democratic exercise. In a region that has undergone backsliding and military coups in recent years, this election demonstrates democracy’s continued relevance and capability to deliver for the people it serves.

“Uba Sani’s victory reveal democracy’s ripening in Kaduna state. Never has the electoral map shifted so drastically in one cycle.

“Votes and those that cast them cannot be taken for granted. Each must be earned. Competition is good for our democracy. There is no doubt the people’s decision has been rendered in the results we look at today.

“That is not to say the exercise was without fault. For instance, there were technical problems with electronic transmission of the results. Of course, there will be areas that need work to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure. However, none of the issues registered represent a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the elections

“I know some politicians and candidates may not agree with this view. That too is fine. If any candidate believes they can prove the fraud they claim is committed against them, then bring forward the evidence.

“If they cannot, then we must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will – no matter how hard that may be for the losers to accept. If they feel the need to challenge, please take it to the courts, not to the streets.

“However, to do the latter means they are not doing it in the interest of the people, but rather to inflame, to put people in harm’s way and all for personal, selfish gains.

“After a degree of polarisation that necessarily accompanies any election, it is now time to come together and act responsibly.

“I congratulate His Excellency Senator Uba Sani on his victory. Elected by the people, he is the best person for the job.

Interim Government is an idea dead on arrival — Group warns politicians

Arewa New Agenda (ANA) has called on politicians to seek redress in court if they were not satisfied with the outcome of the just concluded 2023 presidential election instead of raising tensions of coup and interim government.

The Convener of ANA, Senator Ahmad Abubakar MoAllahyidi while addressing journalists on Wednesday, state warns against the plot to install interim government in the country.

He said that the last Presidential election was peaceful and a candidate was declared winner, hence there is no need for the call to install interim government.

“ANA is concerned that at this critical period the nation needs healing, more social cohesion, social re-engineering and reconciliation to get back to normality, some elements are allegedly setting up roadblocks to unity and peaceful coexistence.

“We may recall that on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, the Directorate of State Security Service (DSS) issued a statement that it had identified,“some key players” involved in an alleged plot for an interim government in Nigeria.

“According to the security agency, the

alleged plotters plan to sponsor series of “violent” protests and obtain “frivolous court injunctions” to truncate the swearing in of new governments at federal and state levels.

“We may recall that Nigeria in 1993 was subjected to an interim national government that lasted for a couple of months of high tension and uncertainty. Thirty years on, talks of interim government are raring their head again for no good reasons.

For no good reasons because happenings and the situation of 1993 that led to the interim government then are completely different from the nation’s situation and happenings in 2023″, he said.

He further stated that the election in 1993 was declared inconclusive by the electoral body that conducted the election.

While the 2023 presidential election has produced a winner of the election and INEC the electoral body that conducted the election has declared and even issued a certificate of return to the declared winner, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Where then is the place for an interim government? The only option left for anyone aggrieved by the result of the election is to go to court – a remedy aggrieved parties are already resorting to. Where then does interim government comes in?

“The 2023 presidential election was not characterized by violence and malpractices that would warrant calling for coup or interim government”, he added.

“Any flaw of the election is one capable of legal redress in our courts and this is where aggrieved parties should channel their grievances instead of raising national tensions with talks of coup and interim government.

“This is one election since 2011, in which there was least violence, killing and arson. The outcome of the election is largely a reflection of the popular will of Nigerian electorates”, MoAllahyidi said.

He said that ANA is constrained to say that some people are bad losers. He said for such people, wherever they lost, the election was rigged, but wherever they won, it was free and fair.

“It is important we remind Nigerians that only in one occasion has a Nigerian presidential election escaped being challenged in the courts. Ironically, that was the 2015 election that delivered Nigeria’s only opposition victory and change of power between political parties at the federal level.

“Steep in the culture of not accepting defeat honorably, Nigerian politicians challenging the result of the 25 February 2023 presidential and national assembly polls the way they are currently doing is the common practice and not the exception.

“The Nigerian Constitution envisages disputes over election results and made robust and adequate provisions for aggrieved parties to ventilate their grievances over election outcomes in court.

“Aggrieved politicians who have taken their grievances to court or are preparing to do so are following the laudable constitutional path of ventilating grievances.

“Those seeking to disrupt the constitutional order and transition schedule as alleged by the DSS are enemies of public good toeing the path of conflict.

“We call on them to retrace their steps and embrace the constitutional and lawful means of addressing election disputes”, he added

ADAMAWA RERUN:Why Fintiri Will Win

ADAMAWA RERUN:Why Fintiri Will Win

By Mada Ibrahim and Mike Odeh James

Even as the Independent National Electoral Commission prepare for the runoff between the incumbent Governor of Adamawa, Ahmadu Umar Fintiri and the Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress,Aishetu Binani, the signs are very clear that Fintiri would still triumph .

Here are some of the reasons why voters choose FINITIRI over his rival

In recent times, Adamawa have not have a Governor that have focused on infrastructural development like Fintriri is doing currently.exchanging him for a fellow whose policies Adamawa people are not sure of is a major impediment to Binani .

Apart from the infrastructural development, Fintiri have invested much in human capacity starting from the rural areas to the urban centres in the state .Furthermore, salaries are being paid regularly, farmers get subsidies as well

More so, through out the country, APC has become very impervious to the suffering of the masses that in return the electorates do not feel the need to vote candidates of APC to power .Binani is also a victim of such lethargic feelings
“

AHEAD OF NEXT WEEK RERUN

Governor Ahmadu Umar Fintiri would be heading to the rerun election with the benefit of having two senators-elect and seven House of Representatives members-elect as fellow party men, while Binani has just one senator-elect and one House of Representatives member-elect on her side. The fact that the incumbent Governor have won for his party that number of seats during the polls shows that Fintiri clearly has the initiative .

Secondly, less than two weeks into the rerun, Binani’s party was embroiled in a deep crisis leading to the suspension Binani campaign organization, senator Ahmed Barata, the Director General of Binani’s Campaign Organisation .

He was suspended for the following reasons,:
Anti-Party activities during the 18 March, Governorship and House of Assembly Election.”

Impersonation of the party by appointment of agents in same election
being a principal actor in causing crisis at the polling unit between agent sent by the party and those you sent during the 18 March Governorship and House of Assembly Election.”

for withholding of relief food items sent to party faithful before election by the APC Governorship Candidate, Distinguish

Earlier on, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha was suspended but his suspension was quickly revoked .

Even as the spate of suspension continues in Binani’s party, internal struggles between the law makers would also work against the ambitions of the Senator Binani .Senator Elisha Abbo, the only senator which APC has in Adamawa state has vowed to work against his party due to the Muslim Muslim ticket adopted by Tinubu .Abbo’s camp have also taken that anger against Tinubu to include the lady senator .
Thus, Binani would be going into the supplementary election with her party, campaign team in tattered and diminished form .

Again, the odds are in favour of the incumbent as Fintiri has an unassailable lead in all the local government areas of the state before the election in Fufore was declared inconclusive .

According Alex David, it would be more difficult for Hajia Binani to mobilise the whole of the electorates in Fufore Local Government to vote only for APC .

David also is also of the opinion that even the incumbent gets less than 5% of the votes in that area , he would win resoundingly.

Two weeks into the runoff, Alex opined that the well-oiled political campaign team of Fintiri has traversed Fulfore in length and breathe leaving no stone unturned .It is would be such a herculean task to have him best in Binani’s backyard

Guber Race : Kaduna election was fair, credible- Kaduna CSOs

Guber Race : Kaduna election was fair, credible- Kaduna CSOs

…Vows to Defend Sen. Uba Sani’s Victory,Mandate

Group under aegis of Coalition of Kaduna Civil Society Organizations had scored the 2023 governatorial election in Kaduna “free, fair and credible”, noting that other candidates have rights to challenge the outcome in court if desatisfied .

According to the group, a fair; credible election was conducted and won with he honour of that victory and responsibility fell on Senator Uba Sani.

In a press statement signed by the Coordinator of the Group, Comrade Musa Mohammed, it is a fact Uba Sani won the election, and he was Officially declared winner by INEC and Certificate of Return was given to that effect accordingly .

The statement further reads: “After the declaration by INEC, some opposition political parties raised alarm and they were advised to seek redress through the legal means in the court of law by President Muhammadu Buhari, of which we believe it’s part of democracy.

“We advised Political Parties which Participated in 2023 elections to Seek Legal Redress If they are not Satisfied with Election.

“We therefore call on all those with grievances to address disputes through prescribed legal channels.”

“Any governatorial candidate or political party in Kaduna State who has misgivings about the election are advised to seek legal redress and eschew violence”.

“The election was better than past elections, but equally has glitches. Violence can never be an option to show grievances, but rather candidates and their parties should seek legal redress as provider under Nigeria’s law.

“The kaduna 2023 governatorial elections were “largely peaceful” despite administrative and logistical hurdles at many polling units.

“We want the opposition’s to know that, we will do everything possible to defend the democracy, to sustain the democracy, to grow the democracy and to defend the mandate given to Senator Uba Sani.

“We will mobilise all the people within the state to defend the said mandate. We are ready to lay down our lives if situation demand; we shall fight this battle without looking back to logical conclusion. We will not allow any intruder or any parasite individual or group of people to dethrone our democracy; we are ready to defend it with the last drop of our blood.

“We will not allow the repeat of PDP in Kaduna State.

“The people of Kaduna state has decided to chose their governor, which is Senator Uba Sani.

“We will not allow kaduna state to fall into the hands of terrorists and those who worship demons.

“PDP and Isa Ashiru inciting the good people of Kaduna state after Uba Sani’s victory

“We warn Isa Ashiru Kudan, the PDP governatorial candidate, to stop making inflammatory comments against the kaduna State governor elect.

“Barring no judicial intervention, Sen. Uba Sani, by the grace of Almighty Allah is would be sworn in on 29 May.

“We congratulate all the good citizens of Kaduna state for their determination, patience and resilience displayed throughout the electoral process.

“Social media was actively used by PDPand political actors as a campaign tool. However, the platforms were misused to spread harmful content, including disinformation on key electoral processes; the measures the platforms took to protect electoral integrity were insufficient.

“Misleading information also came from PDP and Isa Ashiru Kudan supporters which they contributed to a blurred information environment for voters.

Enough of Political Rascality Over 2023 kaduna governatorial Election.

“We as democrats, can no longer fold our arms and do nothing as responsible stakeholders in the kaduna project.

For the purpose of emphasis, what the state has been passing through since the 2023 governatorial election is nothing more than political rascality, irresponsibility, crudity, recklessness, insensitivity and treasonable acts which threaten our democracy and security.

“We have to commend the media and the Civil Society Organisation for joining forces to fact check. “

The Coordinator, thanked the Media for the good coverage of the elections especially at a time where fake news have dominated the media space and wished Christian Happy Easter.

Senate Presidency: Ignore rumours, Akpabio still firmly in the race – Dr Tafida

Senate Presidency: Ignore rumours, Akpabio still firmly in the race – Dr Tafida

A close associate of Senator Godswill Akpabio, Dr. Jibril Tafida has refuted the rumour that the former Minister might have withdrawn from the ongoing race for Senate Presidency.

Speaking to newsmen in Kaduna on Monday, Dr. Tafida said Akpabio is still very much in the race as a frontline contender.

It would be recalled that National Vanguard newspaper has reported few days ago that Akpabio might be withdrawing from race for the Senate Presidency in anticipation of a ministerial appointment in the new APC cabinet

He noted that the former Minister for Niger Delta Affairs had earlier solicited for the support and cooperation of party leadership, that of his immediate constituency, the nod of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu; civil society and respected political pressure groups across the nation.

“In this kind of race for the Senate Presidency, where Akpabio has gained increased popularity, it is expected that mischief-makers would like to concoct all sorts of fake news in order to divert the attention of Nigerians, especially those fully in support of Akpabio’s candidature”, Dr. Tafida argued.

He explained that Akpabio’s active participation in the race “is cast in stone, and no amount of deliberate distortion in the media by hacks can change that.”

Dr. Tafida said that “the massive, growing acceptability of Akpabio’s candidature is an indication that he is, once again, favored by history. None of the candidates currently in this race has unique leadership experience and identity of uncommon transformation”.

Turning to the issue of campaign for the emergence of a Senate President from the Southeast, Tafida said “Akpabio’s South-south region gave more votes that led to the victory of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC got zero votes from the Southeast, a place now known more as a territory of violent groups like IPOB and ESN”.

Participants Laud FIRS, Afropolitan Over Tax Workshop For Media In Kaduna

Participants Laud FIRS, Afropolitan Over Tax Workshop For Media In Kaduna

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Afropolitan Media Limited have held the Kaduna State session of an on-going national sensitisation and capacity-building training programme for media professionals.

The Kaduna State leg of the sensitisation workshop was held on Tuesday, 4 April, 2023 at Admiralty Suites, Murtala Muhammad Square, Race Course, Kaduna State

The FIRS and Afropolitan Media Limited initiated the national workshop programme in order to bring journalists abreast of developments in the Nigerian Tax System under the administration of the Service’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Muhammad Nami, so that the media can inform the general public from a position of knowledge of the sector.

The workshop was also designed to sensitise the media on new challenges posed by fresh developments to tax organizations in the country and worldwide such as e-commerce.

The training therefore, was conceived in order to deepen knowledge of the Nigerian tax administration among journalists so that they can report the sector better to the understanding and benefit of taxpayers in Nigeria.

The first of the capacity-building series was held on Wednesday 29, March, 2023 in Mararaba, Nasarawa State. The next is scheduled for Kano State on Thursday, 6 April, 2023.

The topic for the Kaduna workshop, “Understanding the Rudiments and Importance of Taxation in Nigeria” was developed in three modules and delivered at the event in two sessions – morning and afternoon – by a Partner and Tax Consultant at Shehu Mohammed & Co, Mr. Ma’roof Ibraheem Ajibola (FCA).

Chairman, Correspondents Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State, Mr. Abdulgafar Alabelewe, led a full house of journalists practicing in the state to the Kaduna workshop.

In her Welcome Address at the one-day event, Chief Executive Officer, Afropolitan Media Limited, Hajiya Aisha Umar Halilu, informed the gathering that “the workshop aims to bring participants up to date on current challenges faced by tax authorities like the FIRS and the importance of the media reporting these challenges ethically and responsibly in close collaboration with the FIRS and other tax bodies at the sub-national levels and for the education of the taxpaying public.”

She commended the FIRS under the Nami Administration for supporting the capacity-building training programme for media professionals in the country and urged the journalists to make use of the knowledge gained at the workshop to sensitise the public better on their legal responsibility to pay tax.

The central theme for the national capacity-building programme is “The Role of the FIRS in Driving the Nation’s Tax Administration for Nation-Building”.

In the morning session, Ajibola delivered the module on a “General Overview of the Nigerian Tax Ecosystem”. He defined tax as “any compulsory payment to government imposed by law without direct benefit or return of value or a service whether it is called a tax or not”

Ajibola expanded his treatise on the Nigerian Tax System with a detailed treatment of sub-topics covering the various tax authorities in the country, at the apex of which stands the FIRS; tax types and the Relevant Tax Authority (RTA) that can demand them among the FIRS, State Board of Internal Revenues and Local Government Revenue Committees; and common terms and acronyms used in taxation in Nigeria.

He explained areas where tax collection overlaps and the role of the Joint Tax Board (JTB) – headed by the Executive Chairman of the FIRS – in administering the tax intersections. For instance, Ajibola told the participants that the FIRS is the only tax body backed by law to collect Company Income Tax (CIT) while states collect Personal Income Tax (PIT) from all residents. He added that the FIRS collects Value Added Tax (VAT) on behalf of the three tiers of governments.

The local governments, Ajibola added, collect rates, levies and fees like tenements, motor park levies, birth, marriage and death registration fees, radio and television licence fees, signboard and advertisement permit.

Ajibola also took participants through the administrative structure of the FIRS, its Board’s composition as well as other representatives of Federal Government institutions who are represented on the Board.

He stressed that the FIRS only assesses and collects taxes, and play no role in how tax revenue is allocated or shared by government, hence Nigerians should desist from asking taxmen and taxwomen to account for how tax revenue is spent by governments at all levels.

After his discourse, the resource person fielded questions from participants during which the journalists asked him several burning questions bordering on multiple taxation, ground rent, the rich shirking to pay their fair share of tax, bank charges on electronic transactions, Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions in the academia, VAT and Withholding Tax on media advertisement, among others.

A deep cross-fertilisation of ideas ensued as Ajibola answered the initial sets of questions asked and the follow up queries. A tea break was the called after which the afternoon session held.

The second session was as highly illuminative as the first as Ajibola taught the modules “FIRS: Roles, Responsibilities and Administration” and “Reforms and Innovations in the FIRS: TaxPromax, Finance Acts, SENTINAL”.

The course content saw Ajibola lectured participants on how the FIRS functions administratively in the tax ecosystem in Nigeria and abroad as well as the reforms which the Nami Administration had carried out to make tax payment easier for Nigerians, including the benefits these had brought to the taxpayer and Nigeria.

The Nami reforms, Ajibola added, has led to Nigeria moving into double digit collection figures in the trillion naira mark as the FIRS under Nami increasingly raked in higher tax revenue since 2019, culminating in the collection of N10.5 trillion in 2022 tax year.

Ajibola attributed the FIRS success to Nami’s administrative ingenuity in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use in the tax collection, particularly the construction of the Taxpromax platform developed by FIRS staff, which was launched on June 7, 2021; FIRS’ overseas collaboration with the tax authorities in other countries; the onboarding of Nigeria on the global, e-tax system, SENTINAL, via which online purchases, gaming, among others, can be taxed to the benefit of Nigeria; the grassroots approach to locating FIRS Tax Office close to the people; and institutional reforms carried out to reposition the FIRS since Nami and the Board of the FIRS were put in place by President Muhammadu Buhari; and the reliefs which the Finance Acts – also initiated under the Nami administration – have brought to taxpayers in the country.

Participants also interrogated the two modules presented in the afternoon session, leading another animated question-and-answer session between the resource person and the journalists, which cleared many grey areas participants had on taxation in Nigeria.

In closing, participants commended the FIRS and Afropolitan Media Limited for organizing the workshop, stressing that they would deploy the fresh insights gained at the event to inform the public better on paying their tax promptly as patriotic citizens.

The FIRS/Afropolitan capacity-building programme for professional media practitioners is scheduled to hold in Kano on Thursday 6 April, 2023.