Politics
Tax Reform Bill: Invitation of Experts By NASS In Order – Akpabio

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said that the National Assembly did the right thing, by inviting tax experts into the chambers to brief lawmakers on the nitty-gritty of the proposed tax reform bill.
He also stated that after listening to the professionals, lawmakers and even members of the public, who watched the submissions of the experts, would have seen the need for the bill to be supported.
Akpabio spoke while receiving in courtesy, the leadership of the Association of Nigeria Delta Monarchs of Nigeria (ANDMON), led by His Royal Majesty, Captain Okurakpot in his office on Wednesday.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the President of the Senate on Media, Mr Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio saying during the visit,” we had some contentious bills that the public seem not to understand. We felt we can’t go into them unless we do proper education of the people. I want to thank the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the hearing from experts today on the floor of the Senate.
“I also thank the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass for doing same last week, by inviting experts to brief them on the tax reforms and the way forward on tax administration in the country. I believe that after today’s session, those who had some misgivings about the bills will support it.”
Speaking further, Akpabio said, “I thank our royal fathers for coming here to see what we are doing to make Nigeria a better place for all of us. I also thank you for using your positions and influence to maintain peace in the Niger Delta region, which has equally led to increase in oil production.
“Before now, our inability to meet up with OPEC quota was largely due to militancy in the area, which also led to oil producing companies leaving the region after making a lot of profits. This should not be allowed to continue again.
According to Akpabio, ” there is therefore the need for concrete policies to be put in place to guard against oil pollution and environmental degradation by oil companies in future areas of oil exploration.
“Government is very committed to the clean up of Ogoniland and completion of the East-West road for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta region,” he stated
Earlier in his speech, the leader of the Association, Captain Okurakpot, thanked Akpabio for receiving them saying, “we thank you and your colleagues for receiving us. We are here to declare our support for your leadership of the National Assembly and to also tell you that we are happy and well pleased with your achievements as the Senate President. Meeting you today has afforded us the opportunity to rub minds with the Federal Government through your office.
” We want us to be seen as partners in progress in tackling insecurity in the oil producing area, through collaborations in the Petroleum sector, which would ensure employment opportunities for our teeming youths, thereby stopping them from criminal activities.
“As an association with offshore connections and sponsorships, we are well positioned to assist the government in the area of oil production, solar and wind electrical installations, intended to maintain peace in the oil producing region because government cannot do everything for its citizens.”
Politics
IPU cannot consider Natasha’s petition – Jimoh Ibrahim

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Chairman of the Senate Inter-parliamentary Committee, remarked that the purported petition from the suspended Senator Natasha is “dead on arrival.”
He emphasised that Nigeria, rather than Senator Natasha, is the member of the IPU.
A petition can only be lodged against another member state by a member state.
This implies that the IPU cannot consider petitions from individuals who are not members.
The suspended Senator Natasha is not a member of the IPU, but Nigeria is!
Additionally, the suspended Senator cannot represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I served as the interim president of the IPU in Geneva in 2023, and I am familiar with how the IPU operates after presiding over its proceedings.
Furthermore, as Chairman of the Inter- parliamentary Committee in the Nigerian Senate, I did not approve or authorise the suspended Senator Natasha to attend the IPU on behalf of Nigeria to the Senate President.”
Politics
Senate moves to establish Early Voting for Nigerians on essential duties during elections …..As Bill scales 2nd reading


Senate in session in the chamber
Politics
No Individual Bigger Than PDP, Says Diri

By David Owei ,Bayelsa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was bigger than any individual and that its internal challenges would be fixed once the members resolve to tackle them.
Speaking to journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday after the inauguration of the party’s South-South zonal caretaker committee led by Elder Emma Ogidi, the Bayelsa Governor said the political will to confront those fomenting trouble in the party resided with the members and not solely on the leadership.
Diri, who is also Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, stated that for the party to be competitive as the oldest in the country, it must look inwards and fix its internal issues.
He said: “For me, we have to look inwards before accusing those outside our party. We have to first fix our internal issues.
“It is very easy to point accusing fingers. But the PDP has to sit back and tackle its internal challenges. That is only when we can stand to compete with others.
“I want the PDP to be competitive with other political parties. We are the oldest political party in Nigeria. So we have no reason to be accusing outsiders.”
On whether the party’s leadership had the political will to discipline those fomenting trouble, Governor Diri averred that such will resided with the members.
“We are all members of the party. The moment we all resolve that we need to fix our party, there cannot be any one person that is bigger than the party.”
He stressed that the newly inaugurated zonal caretaker committee had the mandate of the National Working Committee to look into every issue affecting the party in the South-South.
The Bayelsa helmsman expressed the hope that the event was a step forward for the party.
“In our zone, which is the only area in the country you have four governors of the party, we have all resolved and are together on this. You can see the deputy governor of Delta State, who represented the governor. I have also received messages from the governors of Akwa Ibom and Rivers. It shows that we are together and what we need to do is to show leadership and work with the zonal committee so that our zone will again become safe and strong for the PDP.”
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