Ibadan – Opposition to the implementation of Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws intensified on Monday as the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives and the National Association of Nigerian Students demanded an immediate suspension of their rollout, while a Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered accelerated hearing in a suit challenging the authenticity and proposed commencement of the legislation on January 1, 2026.
The Minority Caucus raised concerns over allegations that the versions of the tax laws gazetted by the Federal Government materially differed from those passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu, warning that enforcing the laws under such circumstances would amount to a constitutional violation.
The controversy was triggered two weeks ago when a Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, Abdussamad Dasuki, informed the House during plenary that the tax Acts passed by lawmakers were not the same as the copies later gazetted by the Federal Government.
New tax laws will help, not hurt, airlines —Tax Reforms Committee
The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee has dismissed claims that Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws will cripple the domestic aviation industry, insisting that the reforms are designed to reduce costs for airlines rather than worsen their financial strain.
The committee’s response followed recent comments by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, who warned that the new tax regime could push airfares beyond ₦1 million and force some airlines to suspend operations.
Speaking on ARISE NEWS, Onyema argued that airlines were already overburdened by multiple taxes, levies and charges, and cautioned that further costs would be passed on to passengers.
Naira appreciates massively against US dollar after Christmas holiday
The naira recorded significant appreciation against the parallel foreign exchange market on Monday following the Christian holidays.
The naira exchanged at N1,475 per dollar on Monday, up from N1,490 traded before the Christmas holidays.
This represents a significant boost of N15 against the US dollar on Monday.
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that the naira also strengthened on Monday to N1,442.51 per dollar, up from N1,443.38 on Wednesday, 24 December 2025. At the official market, the naira recorded a N0.87 gain compared with the N1,443.38 traded on Christmas Eve.
NULGE directs members to resume work January 5 after 11-month strike
After an 11-month strike, the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has directed its members to resume duties across local government councils from January 5, 2026.
The Nation reports that NULGE embarked on the strike on February 18, 2025, following violent clashes triggered by a leadership tussle between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over control of local government councils in Osun State, which resulted in killings and injuries.
Subsequently, APC-backed executives were reinstated and took over the councils, while the Federal Government released withheld allocations into local government accounts opened by them through the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Why PDP may not survive 2027 – Wike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may struggle to survive the 2027 general elections, blaming the situation on what he described as poor and unfocused leadership.
Wike made the remarks on Monday during his end-of-the-year media chat.
He criticised the party’s leadership for lacking direction, commitment and the capacity to take corrective decisions.
Ekiti 2026: PDP missing as INEC releases list of gov candidates
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday released the provisional list of governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State election.
The list, posted at the INEC office along New Iyin Road in Ado-Ekiti, features contenders from 12 political parties.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is fielding the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji (58), with Monisade Afuye (67) as his running mate. Other notable candidates include Opeyemi Falegan (41) of the Accord Party with Omoyemi Olaleye (42); Akande Oluwasegun (36) of the African Action Congress with Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe; and Ayodeji Ojo (42) of the Action Democratic Party with Itunu Ibitoye (35).
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presents Oluwadare Bejide (66) and Paul Olowoyeye (52), while the Action People’s Party (APP) fields Bidemi Awogbemi (36) and Akinyemi Adewumi (53). Other parties on the list include the Allied People’s Movement, Labour Party, New Nigeria People’s Party, People’s Redemption Party, Young Progressive Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates, Dr. Wole Oluyede and his deputy, were absent from the provisional list.
Seven journalists killed in Gombe auto crash
At least seven journalists have died, while four others sustained injuries in a single fatal road accident involving a Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ bus in Gombe State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday evening as the journalists were returning from a wedding ceremony in Gombe South senatorial district.
The victims were part of a delegation that had travelled to honour a colleague, an employee of the Nigerian Television Authority, who was getting married.
Confirming the incident, the Gombe State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps l, Samson Kaura, said, “From the information available to us, 11 people were involved in the crash. Sadly, seven of them died on the spot, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries.”
According to him, preliminary findings indicate that the accident was a lone crash, likely caused by a tyre burst.
