BREAKING! APC Breaks Apart As Prominent Group Exits Party To Form New Party; SEE The Name & Those Behind It
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in on the verge of breaking apart after an group within the party under the auspices of Team New Nigeria, TNN, announced the commencement of a movement leave the party and form a new one.
According to the group, the new political party it intends to form would rescue Nigeria from the threshold of poverty, hunger, insecurity and devastation.
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The group’s National President, Modibbo Yakubun Farakwai announced the move on Monday during the official inauguration of the Kano State harmonisation committee.
He said, “We understand that our people are hungry for change but they are not looking only for a change in government but a political party with some new faces replacing old ones.
“Nigerians want to see a change in the culture and efficacy of governance. They want to see genuine change in the way government functions at all levels
According to him, “The group, have already boasted of having 26,382,000 registered voters in its fold across the country, who agreed to form a New Nigeria devoid of bad governance, selfish leaders and corrupt Political officeholders.”
Farakwai disclosed that “Today, every responsible Nigerian is looking beyond the APC government. Hence, let us assure you that we in TNN have been preparing for the future in the right earnest.
He added, “I would like to seize this opportunity to tell you that with your support, the TNN will provide not only an alternative government but an alternative culture of governance rooted in the ideals of democracy.
“We have embarked upon this nationwide program of rallies to start a new dialogue with the good people of Nigeria in the new situation that has arisen in the country.
“We have gone to the extent of developing a flag, a logo, a name, constitution, manifesto and proceeded to engage with the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, informing them of our desire to register the TNN as a political party.
“The leadership of Team New Nigeria acknowledges the registration of 26,382,000 members nationwide.
“We have also approved the allocation of additional membership registration materials for Kano State.
“The Harmonisation Committee is implored to work towards the registration of more people without delay.
“The Membership Registration form is free and not for sale.
“Let us thank INEC for resuming the nationwide continuous voters’ registration exercise. Our people are advised to take advantage of this development and register en masse.
“And may the INEC be independent, apolitical, unbiased and neutral.”
“Amongst us are well-meaning Nigerians from all walks of life, from all professions and all tribes and religions. Our binding forces are brotherhood, humanity, patriotism and the love for a greater Nigeria.
He emphasised that “In the coming weeks, a national rollout of plans will happen in TNN, the first of which is the presentation of the TNN’s Manifesto, book and newspaper.”
He added that the group has so far achieved the formation of administrative and mobilisation structures across the six geo-political zones, 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the 774 Local Government Areas.
In other news, presidency responded to the criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills, arguing that no part of it is meant to impoverish the northern part of the country.
It also said that the Tax Reform Bills were borne out of the need to help overburdened Nigerian Investors, debunking insinuations that it introduced tax reform bills to make Lagos and Rivers states richer than other confederating states.
It also wrote off critics who have speculated that the policy when implemented would see to the scrapping of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), NASENI and NITDA, among other agencies of government.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, rose to the defence of the bills in a statement circulated to State House correspondents on Monday, regretting that in the last few weeks, various political actors and commentators have tried to obfuscate the facts, deliberately misinforming and misleading the public.
The presidential spokesperson said most of the reactions are not grounded in facts, reality, or sufficient knowledge of the bills.
He lamented that while some commentators have attempted to incite the people against the lawmakers, others have polarised one section of the country against another.
Giving further insight into the policy, Mr. Onanuga reiterated that the tax reform bills will not make Lagos or Rivers more affluent than other parts of the country, as recklessly canvassed, poorer.
He assured that the bills will not destroy the economy of any section of the country. Instead, they aim to enhance the quality of life for Nigerians, especially the disadvantaged, who are trying to make a living.
“Contrary to the lies being peddled, the bills do not suggest that NASENI, TETFund, and NITDA will cease to exist in 2029 after the passage of the bills.
“Government agencies, such as NASENI, TETFund, and NITDA, are funded through budgetary provisions with company income tax and other taxes paid by the same businesses that are being overburdened with the special taxes.
“One reason President Bola Tinubu embarked on the Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms is the need to streamline tax administration in Nigeria and make the operating environment conducive for businesses.
“For decades, businesses, investors, and private sector players in Nigeria have complained of being overburdened by a myriad of taxes and levies, including those earmarked to fund various government agencies and initiatives,” the presidential media aide stated.
He insisted that the multiple taxes complicate the economic environment, making Nigeria uncompetitive for investment and preventing many businesses from growing or continuing their operations.
According to him, some companies have had to make the rational decision to relocate to other countries.
“We cannot continue on this path or wait for 20 years if this country is to deliver the prosperity we need for our people.
“The proposal, as contained in section 59(3) of the Nigeria Tax Bill, only seeks to consolidate some of the earmarked taxes imposed on companies and replace them with a single tax to be shared with the key agencies as beneficiaries in a phased manner until 2030.
“The time frame offers ample opportunity for the affected agencies to explore other funding sources in addition to budgetary allocations in line with the constitution and international best practices.
“It is a misrepresentation of facts to conclude that changing an agency’s funding source amounts to scrapping it. None of the countries leading globally in education, science, engineering, or information technology have similar earmarked taxes.
“The government imposes major taxes, be it income tax, consumption tax, or other taxes, to channel resources to its areas of priority at the time. Imposing a separate tax to fund an agency is an aberration that has yet to yield results despite the huge burden on businesses. The tax bills seek to address this problem.
“Relevant stakeholders and public analysts owe it a duty to properly educate themselves about the bills’ contents and avoid misleading the public for any reason. We may be entitled to our opinions, but such views must be informed and based on facts, not emotions targeted at inflaming passions,” he noted.
Mr. Onanuga cautioned that in a period like this, when our people across the country look up to leaders for guidance and direction on matters of public importance, such as the Tax Reform Bills, leaders should be more measured in their public utterances to avoid heating the polity and polarising the country unduly.
He said President Tinubu welcomes the public interest these bills have generated. He encourages leaders across the country, including governors, traditional rulers, civil society activists, students, trade associations, professional associations, and the general public to take advantage of the public hearings that the National Assembly will organise to present their views on how best to reform our taxes and fiscal regime.
“What is never in doubt is the imperative of changing the existing tax laws and administration that have become obsolete and unhelpful in achieving the growth and development we desire for our country,” he noted.
