*As friends, family, associates celebrate late Ajimobi at 8th Roundtable, 76th posthumous birthday
By Adeyinka Adeniran
President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians not to be apprehensive about the new tax regime to begin next year, saying the law is coming with good news to the poor, the low-income earners as well as small businesses.
He said the impact of the various improvements that have been achieved with the various reforms his administration has introduced will be felt more by Nigerians, particularly in the new year with huge reliefs coming from the new tax laws which exempt food, medication, education, agriculture and shared transportation from burdensome taxes and free businesses from multiple taxes.
The President gave the assurance in an address delivered at the 8th Annual Senator Abiola Ajimobi Roundtable and 76th Posthumous birthday held at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, on Tuesday.
The event themed “Pathways to Electoral Credibility: Reforms political parties, re-engineering citizens, and Restoring Trust in Nigerian democracy”,was organised by Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation (SAAF) in collaboration with The Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, UI, attracted friends, associate, family members, partners, of the late former Oyo governor.
The Roundtable held under the chairmanship of a former governor of Ogun state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.
Speaking through the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zaccheus Adedeji, the President lauded the late former Governor for the various reforms that he facilitated while he held sway at the helms of affairs in the state.
According to the President, a recent evidence has shown the drastic economic measures his administration undertook were necessary to revitalize the economy.
He noted that Investors have since been reaffirming their confidence in the economy as the fruits of the reforms become manifest with robust macro-economic indicators, and that the GDP is growing as inflation is tumbling down and improvement is being witnessed in fiscal deficit.
Additionally, he said companies which were hitherto posting losses have returned to profitability with improved capacity utilization and investment levels have gone up.
He recalled that both himself and the late Ajimobi shared many ideas, particularly making difficult and hard decisions with initial hardship but with lasting transformation despite difficulties.
The President said, “We shared many ideals. For instance, he believed that a leader must take the people he governs to the height they ought to be, even it if involves making tough choices and decisions that would engender initial discomforts, but which would in the long run catapult the state to greater development.
“As recent evidence has shown, the drastic economic measures our administration undertook were necessary to revitalize the economy. Investors have since been reaffirming their confidence in the economy as the fruits of our reforms become manifest with robust macro-economic indicators. Our GDP is growing, inflation is tumbling down and improvement is being witnessed in fiscal deficit.
“Companies which were hitherto posting losses have returned to profitability with improved capacity utilization and investment levels have gone up.
“The impact of these improvements will be felt more by Nigerians, particularly in the new year with huge reliefs coming from the new tax laws which exempt food, medication, education, agriculture and shared transportation from burdensome taxes and free businesses from multiple taxes.
“I wish to use this opportunity to assure Nigerians that there should be no apprehensions about the new tax laws, which implementation is starting next year. The laws come with good news to the poor, the low-income earners as well as small businesses.”
In line with the theme of the roundtable- “Pathways to Electoral Credibility through Political Parties: Re-engaging Citizens and Restoring Trust in Democracy”, the President urged the people to continue to invest their trust and confidence in the nation’s maturing democracy.
He commend the wife of the late governor, an ambassador-designate, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, for keeping the family flag flying.
Harping on the various legacies of the late former Governor, President Tinubu said the greatest tribute and honor that can be given to the late Ajimobi is for the party to be united and strengthen to reclaim power in the state, come 2027.
“Let me conclude with these parting words to the APC leaders and members in Oyo State: the best tribute and honour you can all give to our departed statesman is to unite and strengthen the party to take over the reins of government in the state in 2027. This is achievable. And this must be achieved”, President Tinubu noted.
In his remarks, the host, Governor Seyi Makinde who was represented by his Deputy, Bayo Lawal, described the roundtable as a fitting platform to honour the legacy of the late former governor and to engage critically with issues central to Nigeria’s democratic development.
He said Senator Abiola Ajimobi made enduring contributions to governance in Oyo State and left behind lessons that transcended partisan politics.
Makinde noted that the theme of the roundtable was timely, particularly at a period when citizens’ confidence in democratic institutions was being tested.
He said rebuilding trust in democracy required sincerity, accountability and inclusive governance from political leaders, stressing that electoral credibility could only be achieved when political parties practised internal democracy and fulfilled promises made to the electorate.
The governor added that successive administrations had a responsibility to deepen democratic values by promoting peaceful political engagement and ensuring that governance delivered tangible benefits to the people.
He said Oyo state remained committed to strengthening democratic institutions and encouraging active civic participation, adding that forums such as the Ajimobi Roundtable provided an opportunity for sober reflection and collective action in advancing good governance in Nigeria.
Presenting the lead paper, a former Chief of Staff to late President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari said the reform of political parties is the most critical factor for unlocking broader democratic renewal, adding that strong democratic parties can drive other reforms, mobiles citizens and hold institutions accountable.
He identified voters apathy, democratic disillusionment and disengagement, political party dsyfunfuntion (poverty of internal democracy), institutional weaknesses, Electoral violence and insecurity as well as crisis of trust deficit as the key and persistent challenges to electoral credibility.
He said, for electoral system to be credible and deepening of democracy in Nigeria, there should be comprehensive civic education programme whereby civic civic education is incorporated into school curriculum at all levels while he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Civil Society Organisations carry out continual public education campaigns through radio, television, social media , traditional town halls and religious institutions.
Additionally, he said marginalised groups inclusing: women, youths, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons and rural communities should be reached through special efforts.
Speaking earlier, SAAF President, Dr Florence Ajimobi commended President Tinubu for “his unrivaled constancy to his worthy compatriots, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, his personality, virtues, memory, legacy and their shared values on good governance and democratic commitment remains deeply appreciated.”
She said the Presisent has demonstrated loyalty not only through his strong, consecutive representation at the annual event, but also through his continued support , genuine commitment and intentional pursuit of the principles of food governance and democracy, both before and during his Presidency.
She explained that the theme for the Roundtable was to consolidate a previous critical discourse anchored by the former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, noting that the these was carefully crafted to address essential components of the nations democracy, the people and the political parties, without whose commitment and aciv3 participation democracy becomes a mere illusion.
Some of the dignitaries at the event include: Speaker, House of Representatines, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass (Special Guest of Honour), Governors Hope Uzodinma (Imo), traditional rulers, community leaders, students among others.
