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Presidency Denies Discrepancies in New Tax Laws, Blames Misinformation

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10 months ago

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The Presidency has formally addressed recent concerns regarding discrepancies in the newly enacted tax reform legislation, dismissing media reports as based on misinformation. The clarification comes in response to calls from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, lawmakers, and civil society groups to suspend the laws’ implementation, scheduled for January 1, 2026.

The dispute originated from allegations by Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki, a member of the House of Representatives, who claimed that the versions of the tax laws officially gazetted differed from those debated and passed by the National Assembly. He described this as a breach of legislative due process.

In a televised interview on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’ on Monday, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, refuted these claims. He stated that the committee lacks the final certified copies of the harmonised bills passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to the President, making any comparison with the gazetted versions unverifiable.

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“Before you can say there is a difference between what was gazetted and what was passed, we have what has not been gazetted. We don’t have what was passed,” Oyedele explained.

“The official harmonised bills certified by the clerk, which the National Assembly sent to the President, we don’t have a copy to compare. Only the lawmakers can say authoritatively what we sent.”

Oyedele also addressed a specific controversy surrounding Section 41(8), which was alleged to require taxpayers to pay a 20% deposit before filing certain appeals. He confirmed that this provision does not appear in the final gazetted version, though it had been included in an earlier draft.

“What is out there in the media did not come from the committee set up by the House of Representatives. I think we should allow them to do the investigation,” he said.

Background on the Reforms

President Bola Tinubu recently signed into law four key statutes: the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act. These laws will be implemented under a unified body, the Nigeria Revenue Service.

The Federal Government describes the reforms as the most comprehensive modernization of Nigeria’s tax system in decades. They aim to simplify compliance, broaden the tax base, eliminate duplicative taxes, and modernize revenue collection across all levels of government.

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Kano Governor Nominates Ex- Speaker, Spokesperson as Commissioners

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5 hours ago

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November 2, 2026

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, for appointment as commissioners.

The governor has forwarded their names to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Assembly is expected to screen the nominees on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the legislature had received a formal communication from Governor Yusuf requesting the screening of the two nominees.

He added that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gani served as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, while Bature currently serves as the governor’s spokesperson.

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2027: Rep Abubakar Kabir Bichi holds strategic meeting with Kano lawmakers

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6 hours ago

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November 2, 2026

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The Chairman, House of representatives committee on appropriations Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has convened a meeting of all APC State Assembly Members and 40 Candidates in the upcoming 2027 General elections, led by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Crucial issues were discussed on how best to coordinate their campaigns programs to deliver the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

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The meeting was held at his Bichi office, Sunday evening 1st November 2026.

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Waiya’s Removal: Veteran Journalist Urges Yusuf to Appoint Professional as Information Commissioner

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10 hours ago

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November 2, 2026

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A veteran journalist, Dr. Garba Ubale Danbatta, has commended Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for removing Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya from his position as Commissioner for Information in the state’s recent cabinet reshuffle.

Danbatta, who has more than 30 years of experience in journalism, made the commendation in a statement issued to the press, arguing that Waiya’s approach to managing the Ministry of Information was more reflective of civil society activism and advocacy than professional journalism.

According to the veteran journalist, the former commissioner’s activities did little to strengthen professional journalism standards and improve the reputation of the media industry in Kano State.

“As someone who has spent over 30 years in the field of journalism, I commend Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his decision to remove the former Commissioner for Information. His approach was not that of a journalist; rather, he operated like an activist, an approach that essentially distorted the profession because it conflicted with the established ethics and standards of journalism,” Danbatta said.

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He further alleged that Waiya’s activities had created a negative perception of Kano State among organisations monitoring media freedom, professional standards and the rights of journalists.

“His actions created a negative perception of Kano State among organisations that monitor the media industry and the rights of journalists. It is truly regrettable,” he added.

Danbatta expressed hope that Governor Yusuf would appoint a suitably qualified and experienced professional to head the Ministry of Information, stressing the importance of appointing someone with a solid background in journalism and a cordial working relationship with media practitioners.

He said the next commissioner should prioritise the development of the media industry, promote professional ethics and work towards restoring the reputation of journalism in Kano State.

The veteran journalist also expressed his readiness to offer professional advice and support to the state government towards improving the media sector.

“If the Governor of Kano State takes this step, we, for our part, are prepared to continue offering our full support and advice to help improve the profession and elevate its standing in Kano State in the eyes of the world,” he stated.

Dr. Garba Ubale Danbatta has over three decades of experience in journalism, having worked with several media organisations in Nigeria and abroad.

His professional career includes service with the Hausa Service of Deutsche Welle (DW) in Bonn, Germany; the Hausa section of Daily Trust newspaper; and as Deputy Editor of Rariya newspaper.

He also served as an editor at Hamada Radio in Abuja and Head of the Hausa Service at Kiss FM, Abuja, before joining Radio Nigeria in a managerial capacity.

Waiya was recently reassigned from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Youth as part of Governor Yusuf’s cabinet reshuffle.

 

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