News

RMAFC Not Opposed To President Tinubu’s Tax Reform

Published

2 years ago

December 10, 2024

Joel Ajayi
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has refuted recent media reports alleging its opposition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, today, Tuesday 10th December, 2024, the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, described the reports as “grossly misleading, false, and malicious.”

Dr. Shehu clarified that the RMAFC has been fully engaged in the reform process and is aligned with President Tinubu’s vision for an equitable and sustainable fiscal framework. He also highlighted the importance of the proposed tax reform bills in addressing Nigeria’s fiscal challenges.

“We applaud President Tinubu’s strong commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s revenue base through bold initiatives. The proposed tax reform bills are a significant step towards integrating untapped revenue sources, enhancing Nigeria’s revenue-to-GDP ratio, and positioning the country favorably among nations with high fiscal performance,” Dr. Shehu stated.

While acknowledging that the issue of Value Added Tax (VAT) allocation and derivation has sparked intense debate, Dr. Shehu reassured Nigerians of the Commission’s proactive involvement in ensuring that global best practices guide the reform process.

“As a responsible and patriotic institution, we have submitted a comprehensive memorandum that emphasizes adherence to global best practices. This position aligns seamlessly with Mr. President’s vision,” he added.

Dr. Shehu condemned the spread of misinformation, emphasizing that the RMAFC has never opposed the bills but has instead provided professional advice to support their refinement.

He called on Nigerians to disregard baseless reports and urged the media to uphold ethical standards in their reportage.

“It is disheartening to note that, despite our explicit support for the proposed legislation, some individuals have chosen to peddle falsehoods for reasons best known to them,” he said.

“These inaccurate statements can undermine the ongoing efforts of patriotic Nigerians tirelessly working to support the President’s vision for the country.”

The Chairman further explained that the proposed tax reform bills are currently undergoing consultations, with inputs being sought from expert bodies. He cautioned against misinterpretation or misrepresentation of professional advice during this process.

“The Commission is a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s fiscal framework, and we take our responsibility to provide expert advice seriously. We have been working closely with the National Assembly to ensure the proposed legislation is robust, effective, and aligned with global best practices,” Dr. Shehu emphasized.

He noted that the proposed bills aim to promote fiscal equity, reduce tax evasion, and increase revenue generation—objectives that align with the RMAFC’s mandate.

However, he acknowledged concerns about potential impacts on businesses and individuals, assuring stakeholders that the Commission remains committed to addressing these through constructive engagement.

Dr. Shehu stressed the importance of relying on factual information to avoid unnecessary controversies and called on all Nigerians to support the President’s bold fiscal reforms.

“At this critical juncture, the President needs the support of all Nigerians. Let us work together to support his vision for a more prosperous Nigeria,” he concluded.

The RMAFC urged the media to avoid the spread of fake news and focus on promoting factual and constructive dialogue for the collective good of the nation.

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Politics

APC Alleges Atiku, ADC Plot to Undermine Kaduna Campaign Flag-Off

Published

4 hours ago

October 24, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of allegedly orchestrating a disinformation campaign to discredit the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday.

In a statement issued on Saturday, October 24, 2026, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, alleged that the former vice president and the ADC planned to circulate fake news, manipulated documents and doctored videos to undermine the campaign, President Bola Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and other APC leaders.
Alake claimed that the alleged disinformation campaign involved the use of artificial intelligence, deepfake videos, counterfeit documents and social media platforms to manipulate public opinion.
According to him, the alleged plot had already begun with the circulation of a photograph showing a security vehicle on routine patrol near an APC campaign billboard in Kaduna metropolis.

He alleged that the image was misrepresented to suggest that security personnel had been deployed to protect APC billboards, adding that the narrative was subsequently published by a national newspaper and shared by Atiku on his official social media accounts.

The APC spokesperson further alleged that another document had been circulated online, purportedly showing a letter from Governor Uba Sani to the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, concerning an alleged release of ₦2.3 trillion by the Kaduna State Government to host the rally.

Describing the claim as baseless, Alake questioned the possibility of a state government spending such an amount on a political rally.

He noted that Kaduna State’s budgets for 2024, 2025 and 2026 stood at ₦458.271 billion, ₦790.439 billion and ₦985.9 billion, respectively.

According to him, the combined budgets for the three years amounted to less than ₦2.3 trillion, which he cited as evidence to challenge the claim circulating online.

Alake also alleged that the ADC and Atiku’s supporters were preparing to circulate old, manipulated and deepfake videos during the rally to create the impression of public resentment against the APC.

The council urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and verify information before sharing it, warning against the spread of misleading content on social media and other platforms.It further accused Atiku and the ADC of resorting to what it described as desperate tactics to gain political advantage ahead of future electoral contests.

The allegations were contained in a statement signed by Alake on behalf of the APC Presidential Campaign Council on Saturday.Atiku Abubakar and the ADC’s response to the allegations was not included in the statement.

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