Deputy Governors – Prof. Ivara Esu (Cross Rivers); Engr. Rauf Olaniyan (Oyo); Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu (Abia); Prof. Placid Njoku (Imo); Governors - Gboyega Oyetola (Osun); Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Mr. Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN (Ondo); Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Mr. Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom); Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); Sen. Douye Diri (Bayelsa) during the Southern Governors’ Forum in Enugu, on Thursday, September 16, 2021. Others are Deputy Governors of Edo, Ekiti and Ebonyi States, Mr. Philip Shaibu, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi and Dr. Eric Igwe respectively.
HighlightTop StoryTrending Story

It’s our constitutional right to collect VAT, Southern governors say

329

 

…no going back on anti-open grazing laws in their respective states

“State Houses of Assembly in the South and their representatives in the National Assembly to leverage their legislative competence to pursue the inclusion of VAT as falling within the purview of the states in the ongoing constitutional amendment”

As the legal fireworks range on, 17 Southern governors spoke with one voice that they have the right to collect Value Added Tax (VAT) and not the Federal lnland Revenue.

The governors, rising from their third meeting held in Enugu State on Thursday, they said there was need for State Houses of Assembly in the South and their representatives in the National Assembly to “leverage their legislative competence to pursue the inclusion of VAT as falling within the purview of the states in the ongoing constitutional amendment.”

Persecondnews reports that the Enugu meeting is a follow-up to the ones held in Delta and Lagos States some months ago.

The Asaba declaration by the governors include call for concerted efforts at tackling the worsening insecurity, while in Lagos, they resolved to enact anti-open grazing laws in their respective states and zoning of presidential slot in 2023 to the South.

In a seven-point communique at the meeting and signed by its Chairman and Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, the governors reaffirmed their commitment to structural and fiscal federalism.

They also restated the need for states in the South to “leverage the legislative competence of their respective state houses of Assembly as well as National Assembly to pursue its inclusion in the ongoing constitutional amendment.”

It expressed satisfaction with the rate at which Southern states are enacting or amending the anti-open grazing laws.

The conference urged the states that have yet to pass the bill and sign into law to do so without delay.

“We encourage the full operationalization of already agreed regional security outfits; which would meet, share intelligence and collaborate, to ensure the security and safety of the region.

“We reaffirm our earlier commitment to Structural and fiscal federalism as resolved at the inaugural meeting of the Forum held on Tuesday, 11th May 2021 at Asaba, Delta State and emphasized the need for the Southern states to leverage the legislative competence of their respective State Houses of Assembly as well as representation in the National assembly to pursue its inclusion in the Nigerian Constitution through the ongoing constitutional amendment.

“Following from paragraph 3” above, the meeting resolved to support the position that the collection of VAT falls within the powers of the states.

“We express satisfaction with the handling of issues around the Petroleum Industry ACT (PIA) and ownership of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) by the larger Nigerian Governors’ Forum.

“We reiterate our earlier position that the next President of Nigeria must come from the Southern part of Nigeria in line with politics of equity, justice and fairness,” the governors said.

 

 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Rodri Brushes Off Vinicius, Real Madrid at Ballon d’Or ceremony

Recently crowned 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has downplayed the absence of...

VP Shettima, Govs. Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, others witness Okpebholo’s inauguration as Edo Governor

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Lagos Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Ogun counterpart, Dapo...

Super Eagles Land in Abidjan, Gear Up for Benin Republic Clash

The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, has arrived in Abidjan,...

Nigeria signs $1.2bln deal with CNCEC to revive aluminium smelter

Nigeria has taken a significant step towards reviving its dormant aluminium smelter...

VP Shettima Arrives in Benin City for Edo Governor’s Inauguration

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Benin City, Edo State capital,...

Breaking: Powerful explosion rocks Jos, many people feared dead

A devastating explosion shook the city of Jos on Tuesday morning, sending...

NNPC Ltd. boss, Mele Kyari, thrashes allegation of sabotaging Dangote Refinery as baseless

Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National...

Infanticide: US places $25,000 bounty on fleeing Nigerian parent

The United States of America has offered a $25,000 reward for anyone...

Tinubu, Abiodun, Sanwo-Olu, others extol Pastor Tunde Bakare at 70

Pastor Tunde Bakare, the founder of Citadel Global Community Church, is a...

NNPC Ltd. Unveils Plan to Resolve Nigeria’s Energy Trilemma

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) Group CEO, Mr. Mele Kyari,...

Tinubu Calls for Immediate End to Israeli Aggression in Gaza, Supports Two-State Solution

President Bola Tinubu has called for an immediate cessation of Israeli aggression...

Breaking: IPMAN Secures Direct Supply Deal with Dangote Refinery, Promises Steady, Affordable Fuel Nationwide

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has announced a landmark...

“Operation Sweep”, FCT demolition squad, faces backlash from residents, Wike reacts

The recent demolition exercise by “Operation Sweep”, a task force set up...

Nov. 16 Ondo guber poll: Sensitive election materials arrive

Ahead of the Saturday, October 16 governorship poll in Ondo State, sensitive...

China’s imports from Nigeria soar to $15.1bln, 36.1% increase

China’s imports from Nigeria have reached an all-time high of $15.1 billion...

N5.4trn subsidy savings, bolster for nation’s infrastructure, social programmes – Onanuga

The Presidency has announced that the estimated N5.4 trillion saved from subsidy...

Vandals destroy TCN towers, disrupt power supply in Abuja

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported a fresh attack on...

Amid opposition, Kano Rep. Jibrin promises to push Tinubu’s tax reform bills through in NASS

In spite of growing opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s controversial tax reform...

FCT Police bust notorious car theft syndicate, arrest suspect, recover 3 vehicles

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police has confirmed the arrest of a...

Osimhen’s Brace Powers Galatasaray to 3-2 Win Over Samsunspor

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen led Galatasaray to a thrilling 3-2 victory over...