IN THE NEWS: Tinubu, Malami, Obi, Anthony Joshua, Abba Yusuf, Yahaya Bello in the spotlight

Nigeria’s political and public landscape witnessed a flurry of major developments this week. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu insisted on the January 1 implementation of new tax laws despite opposition backlash, while former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of 2027. In the same period, a Federal High Court ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, his son and wife over alleged money laundering, even as British boxing star, Anthony Joshua, survived a fatal road accident in Ogun State. Meanwhile, political realignments gathered pace with plans by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf to defect to the APC and former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, declaring interest in the Kogi Central Senate seat.

Tinubu insists on January 1 implementation of tax laws

President Bola Tinubu has insisted that the new tax laws will take effect on January 1, 2026 as planned. This was disclosed in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday and issued by the State House.

This came as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party slammed the president, describing the move as hasty and insensitive amid ongoing controversies surrounding the alleged alterations to the legislation.

Tinubu had on June 26, 2025 signed the four tax reform bills into law. These laws include the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Act.

They comprehensively overhaul the Nigerian tax landscape to drive economic growth, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment and enhance effective tax administration across the different levels of government. While some of the laws have gone into effect, others are set to go into effect on January 1.

Tinubu stated, “The new tax laws, including those that took effect on June 26, 2025, and the remaining acts scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026, will continue as planned. These reforms are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a fair, competitive and robust fiscal foundation for our country.

“The tax laws are not designed to raise taxes but rather to support a structural reset, drive harmonisation and protect dignity, while strengthening the social contract. I urge all stakeholders to support the implementation phase, which is now firmly in the delivery stage.

“Our administration is aware of the public discourse surrounding alleged changes to some provisions of the recently enacted tax laws. No substantial issue has been established that warrants a disruption of the reform process. Absolute trust is built over time through making the right decisions, not through premature, reactive measures.”

The president went on to emphasise his administration’s unwavering commitment to due process and the integrity of enacted laws.

“The Presidency pledges to work with the National Assembly to ensure the swift resolution of any issue identified. I assure all Nigerians that the federal government will continue to act in the overriding public interest to ensure a tax system that supports prosperity and shared responsibility,” he asserted.

Peter Obi defects to ADC

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023 has officially joined the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Obi announced his defection in Enugu on Wednesday, December 31.

The former governor of Anambra State said his defection ahead of the 2027 election was aimed at transforming and rescuing Nigeria.

“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026 we would begin a rescue journey. We will resist rigging of election by every lawful means in 2027,” he declared.

Obi also urged opposition leaders to come together as a family under the leadership of David Mark to rescue Nigeria.

Those present at the event included a former Senate president and national chairman of the ADC, David Mark; former Sokoto State governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; former governors from the South-East and other dignitaries.

A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Senators Ben Obi, Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye and Gilbert Nnaji; Chief Onyema Ugochukwu; Enyinnya Abaribe; Senator Sam Egwu; as well as several other senators and members of the House of Representatives were also in attendance.

Court remands Malami, son in Kuje prison

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of their bail application.

The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, also ordered the remand of his co-defendants, his son, Abubakar Malami and one of his wives, Asabe Bashir.

Justice Nwite made the order after taking arguments from the defence team led by Joseph Daudu (SAN) and the prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).

Justice Nwite, who handed out the order, said the trio should remain in prison until January 2 when their bail application would be heard and determined.

The judge, in the ruling on an oral bail application made by defence lawyer, Joseph Daudu, (SAN), said it would serve the interest of justice and fair hearing to allow the prosecution to respond to the formal bail application earlier filed by the defendants.

Justice Nwite said although the court could exercise its power by granting bail, the exercise of such power would be possible after the prosecution has responded to the bail application filed by the defence.

He noted that it would amount to an ambush for the court to grant the bail application while the prosecution was yet to file a response to the bail application by the defence.

Malami and his co-defendants are facing a 16-count charge of money laundering preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired at various times to conceal, retain and disguise the proceeds of unlawful activities running into several billions of naira.

According to the charge, the alleged offences span several years and include the use of companies and bank accounts to launder funds, retention of cash as collateral for loans, and the acquisition of high-value properties in Abuja, Kano and other locations.

The commission further alleged that some of the offences were committed while Malami was serving as the Attorney-General of the Federation in breach of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, as amended, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

Anthony Joshua involved in ghastly accident, 2 die

British heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua, has been injured in a car crash in Nigeria, which killed two members of his team.

The former world champion was a passenger in a Lexus SUV that collided with a stationary truck on a major expressway in Ogun State, near Lagos.

The two men who died were Joshua’s close friends and team members: Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, the boxer’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing noted in a statement.

It added that Joshua was in a stable condition in hospital, where he was taken for “checks and treatment” and would remain for observation.

Police Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi of Nigeria’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) said early investigations showed the Lexus had been travelling along the highway from Lagos to Sagamu when it “experienced tyre burst due to excessive speed” and then “lost control.”

Mr Akinbiyi said Joshua and the driver were rescued from the wreckage and taken to a hospital in Sagamu for medical treatment.

The two other passengers – Mr Ghami and Mr Ayodele – were pronounced dead at the scene, Mr Akinbiyi added.

“Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected. We ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time,” Matchroom noted in a statement.

The group’s chairman and boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn paid tribute to the “two great men” who were killed in the crash, stating, “Rest in eternal peace, Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone.”

A boxing expert, Steve Bunce described Ghami and Ayodele as “two of Joshua’s closest friends” and “massive parts of the Anthony Joshua machine.”

“They have been with him, if not from the start, at least very early on. Latz is AJ’s personal trainer and Sina is his strength and conditioning man. They are with him all the time,” Bunce told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Hours before the crash, Joshua posted a video to Instagram of himself and Ayodele playing table tennis. Ghami had recently posted on the social media from Lagos.

A joint statement from Ogun and Lagos states governments noted that Joshua was stable and conscious and had been in contact with his family.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he had spoken to the 36-year-old boxer personally to convey his condolences and wish him a “full and speedy recovery.”

“AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care,” he stated in a post on X.

Kano gov, Abba Yusuf, plans defection to APC

Barring any last-minute change, the Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, is expected to defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the first week of January 2026, in a move that could significantly alter the political equation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sources familiar with the development said the planned defection would mark a dramatic end to Governor Yusuf’s long-standing political association – spanning nearly four decades – with his mentor and political benefactor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement and founder of the NNPP.

Governor Yusuf is currently the only sitting governor elected on the platform of the NNPP. His defection, if carried out, would effectively strip the party of any state-level control, raising serious questions about its viability as a national political force ahead of the next election cycle.  Political insiders also reveal that the timing of the move is strategic. With the APC scheduled to conduct its congresses in February 2026, Governor Yusuf is said to be positioning himself to actively participate in the process and assert control over the party’s structure in Kano State.

The anticipated defection is expected to have far-reaching implications for Kano politics, a state widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential electoral blocs. If Governor Yusuf successfully consolidates power within the APC, it could reunite Kano under the ruling party, weakening opposition forces and potentially marginalising the Kwankwasiyya movement, which has dominated the state’s politics in recent years.

Such a shift would place the APC in a stronger position going into the 2027 governorship and presidential elections, especially in terms of grassroots mobilisation and access to federal leverage.  For Kwankwaso and the NNPP, the loss of Kano – the party’s strongest base – could significantly diminish their relevance on the national stage and complicate any plan for a major role in the 2027 elections.

Yahaya Bello declares interest in Kogi Central Senate seat

A former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has announced his intention to contest the Kogi Central senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.

Bello made the declaration during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he met with traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders from the senatorial district.

A video of the visit and his declaration was shared on Bello’s verified Facebook page on Monday.

“I accept to run for the Senate in 2027,” the former governor said while addressing the gathering.

The Kogi State governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo was present at the event, alongside other political figures and community leaders.

Ododo appealed to his predecessor to accede to calls from party leaders and constituents urging him to represent the district at the National Assembly.

The appeal was made in the presence of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and other influential figures from the area.

Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, remains a key figure within the All Progressives Congress in the state.

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