Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has restated his administration’s commitment to transparency and prudent management of public resources as a key strategy for sustainable development in the state.
The Governor made this known while delivering a goodwill message at the 27th Annual Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), held at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Taxation for Development: Policies, Laws, and Implementation,” Governor Mutfwang described the event as a timely and strategic platform to interrogate ongoing tax reforms and chart a realistic roadmap for accelerated national growth and development.
He noted that since assuming office, his administration has prioritized the judicious use of public funds to address critical needs, improve the living conditions of citizens, and create a conducive environment to attract investments and development incentives.
“I commend CITN for organizing this important conference to reflect on how taxation policies and collection mechanisms can be more effective in fostering national development. This is crucial, as taxation remains a key driver for funding government programmes,” Governor Mutfwang stated.
He emphasized the need for transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the implementation of tax reforms to ensure they yield the intended outcomes for all Nigerians.
“To test the validity and credibility of the current tax reforms, those charged with their implementation must embrace transparency and inclusiveness. This is the only way to achieve equitable dividends of development,” he said.
The Governor also expressed his readiness to collaborate with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, and the Federal Ministry of Finance to ensure efficient tax administration across all levels.
“At the sub-national level, we are committed to prudent resource management. On the Plateau, we believe that you cannot tax poverty, you can only tax wealth. That’s why we are focusing first on stimulating economic activity and wealth creation before expanding the tax base,” he emphasized.
Governor Mutfwang revealed that Plateau State’s internally generated revenue has seen a remarkable increase from N800 million to N3 billion monthly since the inception of his administration, attributing this progress to strategic reforms and investment in the economy.
Reiterating Plateau’s hospitality, he extended an open invitation to the CITN leadership to consider hosting future editions of the conference in the state, known as the “Home of Peace and Tourism.”
In his remarks, the President and Chairman in Council of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Mr. Samuel Agbeluyi, welcomed delegates to the conference and urged members to contribute meaningfully to the robust discussions aimed at propelling Nigeria’s economic advancement.
The Plateau contingent was led to the conference by the Executive Chairman, Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS), Dr. Jim Pam Wayas.
Gyang Bere
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State
May 14, 2023.
Political analyst Abubakar Turaki has argued that the All Progressives Congress, APC’s control of 31 state governors and millions of members does not automatically guarantee victory in the 2027 general election.
Turaki made the remarks during an appearance on S24 TV on Monday, while analysing the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 elections and the controversy surrounding the chanting of "On Your Mandate We Shall Stand" during President Bola Tinubu’s presentation of the budget at the National Assembly.
He argued that the President could have simply asked those involved to stop if he was uncomfortable with it.
“If the President does not want this kind of chanting, he could have simply asked them to keep quiet,” Turaki said.
The analyst also recalled the circumstances surrounding former President Goodluck Jonathan’s defeat in the 2015 presidential election, as documented in Jonathan’s book, My Transition Hours, and Against the Run of Play.
He recalled that Jonathan enjoyed the support of between 20 and 24 state governors during his re-election campaign but still lost the presidential election, arguing that political control and numerical strength do not necessarily translate into electoral victory.
“Having 31 state governors and almost 13 million APC members does not automatically translate into winning the 2027 election,” he added.
Turaki further alleged that some individuals within the ruling party were working against its interests despite publicly identifying with the APC.
He cited comments attributed to Senator Ali Ndume, who reportedly warned that some politicians wear the APC cap in the morning but work against the party in the evening.
“Senator Ndume made it clear that there are people wearing the APC cap in the morning, but in the evening they are working against the party,” Turaki said.
The political analyst also questioned the internal democratic processes of political parties, recalling controversies surrounding vote counting during party activities.
He said videos showing difficulties with vote counting had raised questions about the conduct of internal party processes.
“I wonder if a full-grown adult cannot count. It is simply arithmetic. We all saw the videos. It cut across all the political parties that conducted their activities,” he said.
Turaki maintained that Nigerians should not assume that the numerical strength of any political party would determine the outcome of the 2027 general election.
He concluded that the forthcoming election would be a significant political contest, urging Nigerians to expect an interesting electoral process.
An Ikeja S£xual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Lagos State has sentenced a man, identified as Idris Ashimiyu, to life imprisonment for defiling an 11-year-old girl.
Justice Abiola Soladoye delivered the judgment on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after finding Ashimiyu guilty of a one-count charge of defilement brought against him by the Lagos State Government.
During the trial, the survivor, who was 13 years old when she testified, told the court that she knew the convict because he ran errands and washed cars within their compound.
She narrated how the incident happened and told the court that her grandmother later discovered what had happened after going to look for her.
Ashimiyu had pleaded not guilty to the charge. However, after reviewing the evidence presented by both the prosecution and defence, Justice Soladoye found the survivor’s testimony credible and held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court consequently sentenced him to life imprisonment and ordered that his name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.