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NO MERGER DEAL WITH PDP, NNPP – PETER OBI The Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed reaching a merger deal with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) or any other party. Peter Obi made this known on Thursday morning during a press conference in Abuja on the state of the nation, …

PREROGATIVE OF MERCY; ENUGU GOVERNOR RELEASES SEVEN INMATES, PARDONS ONE Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has granted prerogative of mercy to eight inmates of custodial centres in the state on parole. A statement by the governor’s media aide, Uche Anichukwu, on New Year’s Day 2025, said the decision was communicated to the Comptroller, Nigerian Correctional Service, Enugu State Command, Nicholas …

NEW WITHHOLDING TAX BEGINS President Bola TinubuThe Federal Government has commenced the implementation of the 2024 Withholding Tax Regulations, signalling effort to modernise Nigeria’s tax system. Approved by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024 and published in the Official Gazette in October, the revised regulations became effective on January 1, 2025. Formally titled the “Deduction of Tax at Source (Withholding) …

ANGLICAN ARCHBISHOP, DRIVER RELEASED AFTER ONE MONTH IN KIDNAPPERS’ DEN The kidnapped senior Anglican cleric, Most Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala has been freed. Okpala, a retired Archbishop of the Niger Province and Bishop of Nnewi, was released one month after he was abducted. It could be recalled that he went missing on his way to Umuchu, a community in Anambra …

NO PLAN TO HIJACK LGS FROM YOU, TINUBU TELLS GOVS President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has denied speculations making the rounds that he is at war with state governors over his push for local government autonomy across the country. In July 2024, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgement affirming financial autonomy for the 774 local government areas in the country. …

KANO GOVT REJECTS TAX REFORM BILLS The Kano State Government has strongly expressed opposition to the proposed tax reform bills before the National Assembly. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who spoke through his Deputy, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, declared the government’s position during the 2025 celebration held at the Filin Mahaha, Kofar Naisa open theatre, a statement issued by the deputy governor’s …

CATHOLIC PRIEST JAILED 11 YEARS FOR CRITICIZING GOVERNMENT A Catholic priest in Belarus was convicted on Monday of high treason for criticising the government and sentenced to 11 years in prison. This marks the first instance of politically motivated charges against Catholic clergy since Belarus gained independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Rev Akalatovich’s conviction comes …

TARIFF HIKE, GRID COLLAPSES, OTHER MAJOR SPOILERS IN NIGERIA’S POWER SECTOR Nigeria’s power sector has continued to face challenges, eleven years after privatisation in November 2013. The last 12 months in the Nigerian electricity supply sector witnessed three key spoilers, including at least twelve national grid collapses, over 200 percent electricity tariffs, vandalisation of Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, facilities, …

DEFECTION: WHY EXECUTIVE OFFICE-HOLDER CANNOT LOSE SEAT While interpreting Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution relating to prohibition of political activities by certain associations, the apex Court rightly held in Amaechi v. INEC (2008) 5 NWLR (Part 1080) 227, 317-318 that: “The above provision effectually removes the possibility of independent candidacy in our elections; and places emphasis and responsibility in …

SOUTH-EAST KILLINGS: EXPERTS INVITE UN, INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT, DEMAND URGENT INTERVENTION A group of distinguished international scholarly experts, clergymen and human rights crusaders have thrown their weight behind the two recent special international reports unveiled by ‘Expert-Leaders’ of the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety). The two Reports unveiled on Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Enugu …