Social listening 2 January 2026

Welcome to the New Year, dear reader. Thank you for your support, interest and encouragement in 2025. We will serve you faithfully in 2026 and bring innovations as we move on.

1. Benin Palace Denies Oba’s Involvement in Brutal Assault on Filmmaker

The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has officially dissociated the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, from the violent public assault on Pedro Obaseki, a Nollywood filmmaker and academic. The denial comes amid widespread outrage following the circulation of a video showing the brutal attack.

The Attack: A Detailed Account

On the morning of 28 December 2025, Pedro Obaseki was abducted from a football pitch in Benin City by armed men. In an interview with African Independent Television (AIT), he described being beaten, stripped naked, and paraded through public streets.

• Motivation Cited by Assailants: The attackers claimed to be acting on behalf of the Benin Traditional Council and the Oba, alleging Obaseki showed disrespect to the monarchy.

• Alleged Catalyst: The incident is reportedly linked to remarks Obaseki made at a London event honouring his cousin, former Governor Godwin Obaseki, where he omitted a traditional praise for the Oba—an omission viewed as a serious slight.

• Palace Ordeal: Obaseki was compelled to kneel and crawl within the palace grounds before being presented to the chiefs. He later remarked that the chiefs’ demeanour indicated they had not authorised the attack.

Official Palace Response: A Firm Denial

Responding to public outrage, the BTC released a formal statement on 31 December, signed by Secretary Frank Irabor.

• It explicitly denied that the Oba authorised or approved the assault.

• The Council described the violence as “not in the character of our revered monarch,” emphasising the Oba’s role as a “peace-loving father to all.”

• The statement cautioned young people against vigilantism and advised social media users to verify information before sharing it.

Legal Controversy and Police Response Under Fire

The aftermath of the attack has attracted strong criticism from legal circles. Following the palace incident, Obaseki was taken to a police station, where the response has been questioned.

• Victim Detained: Obaseki was held by police, while his alleged attackers were not.

• Alleged “Palace Clearance” Requirement: His lawyer states the Edo State Commissioner of Police linked Obaseki’s release to obtaining “clearance from the palace”—a concept with no basis in Nigerian law.

• Calls for Neutral Investigation: Due to perceived compromised local proceedings, lawyers have called for the Inspector-General of Police to take over the case to ensure an impartial investigation.

Human rights lawyer Frank Tietie described the attack as a “national disgrace” and a breakdown of the rule of law, asserting that no tradition justifies such violence under Nigeria’s legal framework.

Background: A History of Political Rift

Analysts situate this incident within a long-standing political feud between the Benin Palace and the Obaseki family.

• Tensions arose during former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration over issues like the repatriation of looted Benin Bronzes and control of traditional youth groups.

• This history provides context for why the attackers labelled Pedro Obaseki and his cousin as “Oghionoba” (enemies of the Oba).

2. Nigeria Forges Ahead with Disputed Tax Reforms

Nigeria’s comprehensive new tax regime comes into full effect today, 2 January 2026, amid ongoing public debate and protests. Despite widespread criticism, the Federal Government, supported by President Bola Tinubu’s New Year message on the “courage of reform,” remains committed to implementation.

Public discourse, especially on social media and messaging platforms like WhatsApp and TikTok, is filled with advice—some promoting tax-avoidance methods. A standard tip suggests splitting Point-of-Sale (POS) transfers to stay below the N10,000 limit and avoid a perceived double debit.

Clarifying the New Tax Laws: Key Questions Answered

VFD Microfinance provides clarity on common public concerns:

Q1: When do the new laws come into Effect?

A: The Joint Revenue Board Act and Nigeria Revenue Service Act came into effect on 26 June 2025. The core Nigeria Tax Act (NTA) and Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) will come into effect from 1 January 2026.

Q2: Are bank deposits/transfers automatically taxed?

A: No. Deposits or transfers are not auto-taxed. However, if classified as income and exceeding exemption thresholds for small businesses/companies, they may be reviewed. Maintaining clear transaction records is advised.

Q3: Will tax authorities monitor my bank account?

A: Banks/financial institutions must submit returns to authorities for individuals with monthly transactions exceeding ₦25 million and businesses over ₦100 million [Sec. 29, NTAA]. This does not mean automatic deductions from accounts.

Q4: Can the tax authority debit my account without notice?

A: No. The law grants a power of substitution for tax recovery only after a taxpayer fails to pay following a series of demand notices [Sec. 60, NTAA].

Q5: Will my bank account close on 1 Jan 2026 without a Tax ID?

A: No, the law does not require accounts to be closed. It mandates that financial service providers ensure taxable persons provide a Tax ID [Sec. 8, NTAA]. The Tax ID portal is now linked to the National Identification Number (NIN) for easier access.

Practical Guidance: The Critical Role of Payment Narration

Taxes primarily target taxable income—money received for goods or services. An accurate payment narration is crucial to avoid misclassification and potential overpayment during tax filing.

Legally Acceptable Narration Examples:

1. Family support: “Gift / Family support”

2. Repayment of debt: “Refund / Reimbursement”

3. Moving personal funds: “Personal transfer/savings”

4. Receiving a loan: “Loan received”

5. Business investment: “Capital contribution”

6. POS transaction: “POS transaction”

7. Business sale: e.g., “Payment for two cartons of Vu Indomie”

Final Note: As the adage goes, ignorance of the law is no excuse. Being proactive and precise with financial documentation is crucial, as recovering wrongfully deducted taxes can be difficult. Stakeholders are advised to remain informed and vigilant.

3. New York’s New Era, with its first Muslim, first South Asian, and first Africa-born mayor.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani was sworn in as the 112th Mayor of New York City on 1 January 2026, marking a historic new era, as he is the city’s first Muslim, first South Asian, and first Africa-born mayor. At 34, he is also the youngest mayor in over a century.

Mamdani was born and grew up initially in Uganda. His parents are Indian.

Mamdani is a member of the Democratic Party and of the Democratic Socialists of America. He will preside over a city known as the bastion of capitalism.

Before now, Mamdani was the New York State Assemblyman for Queens (2021-2025).

He brought colour and drama to both his inauguration and the campaign that propelled him into office. He was sworn in privately just after midnight on 1 January 2026 at the historic Old City Hall subway station. A public ceremony then took place, officiated by Senator Bernie Sanders.

One report noted that, making history as the first Muslim to lead the United States’ largest city, Mamdani took his oath with his hand on a Quran.

“This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani said in a brief speech.

The private ceremony, conducted by New York Attorney General Letitia James at the architecturally stunning old City Hall station – one of the city’s original subway stops known for its arched ceilings – marked the official transition of power.

In his inaugural remarks, Mamdani highlighted the venue as a “testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city” while announcing Mike Flynn as his new Department of Transportation commissioner.

Key Campaign Promises & Policy Agenda

Mamdani campaigned on a platform centred on affordability and economic rights, proposing significant changes funded by tax increases on corporations and high earners. His main promises include:

• Housing. Freeze rents for all rent-stabilised units (affecting ~1 million households).

Triple the production of permanently affordable, rent-stabilised homes.

• Transit & City Services. Make all city buses fare-free. Create a network of city-owned grocery stores to sell food at wholesale prices.

• Public Safety. Create a new Department of Community Safety to take a public health approach to violence prevention.

• Funding the Agenda. -Raise the top corporate tax rate from 7.25% to 11.5%.

-Increase personal income taxes on households earning over $1 million annually.

Major Challenges Ahead

Turning these ambitious promises into reality involves overcoming major obstacles:

• State and Federal Hurdles: Many proposals (like significant tax changes) require approval from the state government in Albany.

He must also manage a relationship with the Republican federal government and President Trump, despite a surprisingly cordial post-election meeting.

Governing a Complex City: He leads a workforce of over 300,000 and must manage daily city operations while pursuing his agenda. He has shown pragmatic early moves, such as asking the current NYPD Commissioner, Jessica Tisch, to stay in her role.

Socio-Political

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