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The West African Tax Administration Forum has called for the accelerated digitalization of Value Added Tax (VAT) systems across the region, warning that inefficiencies in current frameworks are limiting revenue mobilization and slowing economic growth.

The call was made during a high-level regional forum in Abidjan, organized by the African Development Bank. The event brought together tax administrators, policymakers, and development partners to review reforms and best practices in VAT administration across Africa.

Speaking on the sidelines of a panel session titled “VAT Digitalization: Pathways, Challenges and Opportunities,” WATAF Executive Secretary, Jules Tapsoba, emphasized the urgency of adopting technology-driven tax systems across West Africa.

“Digitalization is the single most transformative lever for improving VAT performance across West Africa. Without it, we will continue to face leakages, inefficiencies, and limited compliance,” said Mr. Tapsoba.

He noted that while VAT remains a major source of domestic revenue in many West African countries, several structural challenges continue to hinder its effectiveness.

These include a large informal sector, weak tax culture, limited digital infrastructure, and poor coordination between customs and domestic tax authorities. According to him, these issues contribute to revenue leakages, delays in VAT refunds, and reduced liquidity for businesses.

Tapsoba acknowledged ongoing reforms in member states, including the rollout of online taxpayer registration systems, electronic invoicing, and automated tax filing and payment platforms. However, he stressed the need for greater coordination and harmonization of these initiatives across the region.

Also speaking at the forum, Eline Okudzeto, Chief Governance Officer at AfDB, pointed to lessons from East Africa, noting progress alongside persistent challenges in compliance, coordination, and system integration. She reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting VAT reforms through technical assistance, dialogue, and capacity-building programmes.

Other speakers, including Emeka Nwankwo of the African Tax Administration Forum, Abou Ouattara Sié, and Darlingston Yahkor Talery of the Economic Community of West African States, echoed the importance of VAT in boosting domestic revenue while highlighting ongoing implementation challenges.

Tapsoba further urged member states to align their national VAT systems with the ECOWAS Directive on VAT harmonization adopted in July 2023, ahead of the January 2027 deadline for domestication. He said harmonization, alongside digitalization, would be key to promoting fair competition, facilitating a common market, and strengthening regional integration.

He also outlined measures to improve VAT performance, including modernizing refund systems to reduce delays, strengthening audit and verification processes to curb fraud, improving customs valuation systems, and enhancing collaboration between customs and domestic tax authorities through joint audits.

WATAF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting member states through technical assistance, capacity development, and knowledge sharing, as the region shifts from reliance on border taxes to more efficient domestic tax systems.

The forum called on governments and development partners to move beyond policy discussions to concrete implementation, stressing that timely action is essential to achieving fiscal sustainability in West Africa.

West Africa Risks Revenue Loss Without VAT Digitalization — WATAF is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A former Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mike Igini, has raised fresh concerns over what he described as three “dangerous provisions” in the 2026 Electoral Act, warning that they could undermine the credibility of future elections, including the 2027 polls.

Speaking on Arise TV’s The Morning Show on Wednesday, Igini said his concerns emerged after a detailed review of the new law, despite his earlier disengagement from electoral debates due to disappointment with developments in the system.

He noted that beyond earlier concerns about Section 60(3), he had identified additional provisions he believes pose significant risks to electoral integrity.

Igini pointed to Section 63 of the Act, alleging that it allows presiding officers to accept ballot papers that do not bear INEC’s official marks or security features, provided they are “satisfied” with their authenticity. He argued that this introduces subjective discretion that could be exploited.

According to him, the use of the word “satisfied” revives a controversial clause previously contained in the 2010 Electoral Act, which was later removed after years of criticism.

Igini warned that such discretion could enable the use of unauthorised ballot papers during elections.

The ex-REC also raised concerns about Section 138, which deals with grounds for filing election petitions. Igini said the provision suggests that actions or omissions contrary to INEC directives—but not explicitly against the Electoral Act—cannot be used as grounds to challenge election results.

He argued that this effectively shields electoral officers who fail to comply with INEC guidelines, noting that such directives are typically contained in the commission’s regulations.

Furthermore, Igini criticised Section 137, which he said removes the requirement to join electoral officers—such as presiding or returning officers—as respondents in election petitions involving allegations of misconduct.

He expressed concern that this provision could make it difficult to hold individual officials accountable for alleged irregularities during elections.

He said: “You know I said I have not been interested in so many things because I’m so disappointed, but I decided and said let me go through the Electoral Act.

“I found that whereas the last intervention we had here were discussing about Section 60, sub-section 3, where the act provided a proviso that will undermine the 2027 official elections.

“I have now found a more dangerous three provisions, and I put them out, and I think that Nigeria can read it.

“First, let’s go to Section 63. Now, Section 63, which I just discovered, they have now reintroduced something very terrible. You can see it there that ballot paper that will be used for the 2027 election that does not bear the official marks and features, and security visions of INEC should be accepted by presiding officer.

“The Presiding Officer has now been given a discretion to now accept ballot paper, not withstanding the absence of the official mark, and to count that ballot paper.

“What that means is that before this election, politicians who now have access to the security features of INEC ballot, they are going to produce their ballot papers. They are going to print their own ballot paper to be accepted. This is dangerous and they put in the Electoral Act.

“Similarly, may I show Section 138 that has been one of the rigging provisions that we have cried out to be removed. As a matter of fact, you remember that in 2019, in this current Republic under Buhari, was the only time that there was no Electoral Act passed. When we made that recommendation that this thing should be removed, this section should be removed, remember that it was rejected.

“It says that an act or omission which will be contrary to the instruction or directive of the commission, or of an officer appointed for the purpose of election, but which is not contrary to the provision of this Act shall not, of itself be a ground for questioning the election.

“May I make a few observation here. You see, when you want to deceive people, you put it in words and bring that section back again. They were just short of referring to INEC regulations and guidelines, because the instruction and directive of INEC are contained in INEC regulation and guideline.

“They are saying that a presiding officer, a coalition officer, a returning officer, they can abandon INEC directive or regulation. So they provided immunity there.

“Let’s go to the last section. It will interest Nigerians to know that section 137
now says that all those categories of individual, I think the other time, I provided you what we call a pyramid. All the categories that we have just mentioned, Presiding Officer, Returning officers. It says that where the petition, that is where anybody now to go to file a petition, complaints of the conduct of an Electoral Officer, a presiding officer, returning officer, it shall not be necessary to join such officer. That means that those who have disobeyed to follow INEC instruction and guideline, that it shall not be necessary to bring them to the court.

“You are now saying that the people who rig election, presiding officers, who actually were the maker of the document, you said, because you have joined INEC as a respondent, it shall not be necessary to bring them to the tribunal.”

Ex-INEC REC reveals 2026 Electoral Act provisions that could undermine 2027 election

The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment in the appeal filed by the Taminu Turaki faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, seeking to upturn the judgment of the Court of Appeal which nullified the conduct of the national convention held last year in Ibadan.

A five-member panel of the apex court announced on Wednesday that its judgment would be delivered on a date to be communicated to all parties in the appeal.

Justice Garba Mohammed, who led the five-member panel, made the announcement shortly after lawyers representing parties in the appeal adopted their processes as brief of their arguments, for and against the appeal.

The faction of the PDP led by Tanimu Turaki had approached the apex court to challenge the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had nullified the convention for being held in disobedience of a valid order of court.

It will be recalled that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, had last year in a judgment restrained the then Ambassador Iliya Damagum-led National Executive Committee of the PDP from proceeding with the convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2026, in Ibadan Oyo State.

Justice Lifu had in his judgment ordered that the convention should not hold until an aspirant to the office of national chairman, former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, is giving the opportunity to purchase interest and nomination forms to enable him participate in the convention for the election of national officers.

The party faction, however, went ahead to conduct the convention in disregard to the orders of the court.

The PDP faction had predicated its decision to conduct the convention on the grounds that the court presided by Justice Lifu lacked the jurisdiction to stop the convention as the issue brought before him was an internal matter of a political party, which no court has jurisdiction to delve into.

However, the appellate court in its judgment last month disagreed that the issue at the trial court was an internal affair of a political party which courts cannot entertain.

The three-member panel of the appellate court subsequently nullified the outcome of the convention for being held in disobedience to the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Dissatisfied, the PDP camp approached the apex court praying it to accept the appeal against the lower court judgment, set the judgment aside and hold that the issue was an internal matter which both the Court of Appeal and Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain.

However, the respondents urged the court to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit.

PDP: Supreme Court reserves judgment in appeal against judgment nullifying convention

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has announced a free concert in Osogbo featuring his son, Adebayo Adeleke (B-Red), alongside several music artists from within and outside the state.

The event follows the appointment of the governor’s nephew, Davido, as Head of Youth Mobilisation for the governor’s re-election campaign ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election.

In a post shared on Wednesday via his X handle, Governor Adeleke described the concert as a statewide celebration aimed at uniting residents through music and entertainment.

“Osun, this free Concert is for everyone. I am delighted to have my son @B_RedHKN, his friends in the entertainment industry, and exciting upcoming musical acts from across Osun bringing the vibes home!” he wrote.

A poster released by the governor listed several performers billed for the event, including Peruzzi, CDQ, Fido, Shina Peters, May D, Sinarambo, Peller, and Kolu Wahala, among others.

He added that the concert is open to all political affiliations, saying: “This Get Out to Vote Concert is for everyone in Osun State Accord, ADC, APC, LP, PDP no political divide, just pure Osun energy!”

The concert is scheduled to be held at the Technical Field in Osogbo on Friday, April 24, with free entry for residents. Adeleke also urged citizens to attend, stating, “Come out, groove, and let your voice count!”

The development comes as political activities intensify in Osun State ahead of the August 8, 2026 governorship election.

Adeleke Hosts Free Concert, Woos Youth Ahead Of Re-Election Bid is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Former presidential candidate Dr. Gbenga Hashim has declared that pro-democracy forces across the country will resist any attempt to impose a one-party system, following a strategic meeting with Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana. This was contained in a statement he issued to newsmen on Wednesday . He said the meeting formed part of ongoing […]

The post Gbenga Hashim meets Falana, vows resistance to one-party agenda in Nigeria appeared first on Tribune Online.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has called on Lebanon to cooperate with Israel in dismantling Hezbollah, describing the group as the main obstacle to peace and normalisation between both countries.

Saar made the remarks during Israel’s Independence Day address to ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps ahead of planned discussions in Washington on Thursday.

The talks follow a working level meeting last week, the first direct diplomatic engagement between Israeli and Lebanese officials in decades, facilitated by the United States.

“We don’t have any serious disagreements with Lebanon. There are a few minor border disputes that can be solved,” Saar said. “The obstacle to peace and normalisation between the countries is one: Hezbollah.”

He added that Lebanon could achieve “a future of sovereignty, independence and freedom from Iranian influence” if it takes steps to dismantle the group.

Hezbollah, widely regarded as an Iran backed armed group, has long been a major security concern for Israel, particularly amid recent escalations that triggered Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon. Israel says the group poses a threat through rocket and anti tank attacks targeting northern communities.

Israeli forces currently maintain a security buffer zone extending roughly 10 kilometres into southern Lebanon. The zone, according to Israeli officials, is intended to prevent attacks and will remain in place until Hezbollah’s military presence in the area is addressed.

Israeli leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have said the buffer zone is a defensive measure, stressing that lasting peace depends on Lebanon asserting control over its territory and curbing Hezbollah’s military infrastructure south of the Litani River.

The upcoming Washington talks are being viewed as a potential step toward de escalation, although both sides acknowledge significant challenges remain.

United States officials have described the discussions as a “historic opportunity,” while emphasising that any agreement must address Hezbollah’s role and Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Lebanese officials have previously called for a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal, while Israel continues to insist on concrete steps to limit Hezbollah’s capabilities.

The developments come amid ongoing regional tensions, with Israel maintaining that addressing the threat posed by Hezbollah is essential to both its security and Lebanon’s long term stability.

The Washington negotiations are expected to test whether diplomatic efforts can build on recent military developments toward a broader settlement.

Israel Urges Lebanon To Cooperate In Dismantling Hezbollah is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has warned Nigerians over a surge in fraudulent messages, emails and online communications targeting unsuspecting individuals in a bid to gain unauthorised access to their bank accounts.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali, the apex bank said the deceptive messages are crafted to mislead recipients, harvest sensitive information and circulate false claims about the bank’s leadership and operations.

According to the CBN, the scam messages typically urge recipients to click on suspicious links and disclose confidential details under the pretext of official directives.

“These fraudulent messages, which prompt recipients to click links, peddle false information about the Bank’s leadership, licensing, and policy issues, are intended to hack personal accounts,” the statement said.

The bank stressed that its only official website remains www.cbn.gov.ng and advised the public to verify any communication through authorised channels.

It cautioned Nigerians against engaging with unverified links or sharing personal and financial information on dubious platforms, noting that such actions could expose them to cyber fraud.

The CBN also urged members of the public to report suspicious messages, emails or websites to appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Reiterating its commitment to safeguarding the financial system, the apex bank said it is enhancing its cybersecurity infrastructure in collaboration with security agencies to curb digital financial crimes.

CBN raises alarm on fake emails, links used to hack bank accounts

American rapper Fat Joe has claimed that he and others pressured Nigerian singer, BNXN, formerly known as Buju, to change his stage name.

Fat Joe explained that they bullied the Nigerian artist into changing his stage name because his former stage name, Buju, was disrespectful to Jamaican dancehall legend, Buju Banton.

The rapper disclosed this during a podcast interview featuring himself and Buju Banton.

“There is a fake guy in Africa using the Buju name, we dissed him on tv, shut him down, he changed his name. I told him there is only one Buju Banton,” he said.

Buju Banton stated that his stage name is special to him because it was given to him by his mother unlike many artists, who coined their names or got it from friends.

He explained that his mother named Buju but he added the suffice Banton in honour of a Jamaican DJ he admired so much.

“Most people [artists] get their names from their friends or coin it. But my name came from my mom. Then I added Banton due to my admiration for Burr Banton,” he stated.

DAILY POST recalls that BNXN initially started his music career with the stage name “Buju” but later changed it to his current name due to alleged copyright issues.

How we made Nigerian singer Buju change his name because of Buju Banton – Fat Joe

Barcelona are reportedly planning a summer fire sale, with midfielder Frenkie de Jong among five high-profile players they are willing to let go.

Though the Netherlands international has long been a pillar in the Blaugrana’s engine room, his recent campaigns have been repeatedly disrupted by injuries.

As reported by MARCA, De Jong headlines the list of potential departures this summer.

Joining the 28-year-old are Robert Lewandowski, Marcus Rashford, Andreas Christensen, and Marc Casado.

De Jong is under contract until June 2029, but his recurring fitness issues have raised serious concerns.

This season alone, he’s missed 11 matches due to various injuries, including a hamstring problem that sidelined him for 45 days.

With Marc Bernal back in the fold and De Jong among the club’s top earners, his future looks increasingly uncertain.

Elsewhere, Lewandowskiwhose deal runs through June 2026, is reportedly nearing an exit.

Rashford’s loan spell is also set to end this summer, and after a quiet showing, particularly in the Champions League quarterfinals, a return to Manchester United seems likely.

La Masia product Casado has fallen out of regular favour under manager Hansi Flick, while Christensen has been sidelined since December with an ACL injury.

De Jong among five high-profile players Barcelona want to sell this summer

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining democracy in Nigeria, declaring that the system of governance will endure despite ongoing challenges.

Speaking on Tuesday at the State House in Abuja while receiving a delegation from Enugu State led by Governor Peter Mbah, the President said his government would take all necessary steps to ensure the realization of the Nigerian dream.

Tinubu expressed confidence that democracy would prevail in the face of intimidation, urging supporters to remain focused and disregard critics.

He emphasized that his administration remains committed to building a prosperous nation for future generations and would not be distracted by opposition voices.

The President also criticized some opposition politicians, accusing them of undermining democratic values while publicly claiming to support them.

He referenced past policies, including the privatization of the power sector, which he said had contributed to ongoing electricity challenges in the country.

Reiterating his administration’s priorities, Tinubu said the government would continue to focus on improving citizens’ welfare, economic prosperity, and long-term national development.

He further highlighted Nigeria’s economic potential, noting that the country remains a leading force in Africa in terms of growth and opportunities.

According to him, contributions from stakeholders across the country are helping to sustain Nigeria’s position on the continent.

Tinubu said: “We will do everything to ensure that the Nigerian dream is realised. The hope you enunciated in your remarks is not a pipe dream. It’s real and achievable, and we’ll achieve it together.

“Democracy will survive despite all intimidation. Ignore the naysayers. Stay focused. When you succeed, and they are angry, let them be.

“I do not lose sleep over criticism because we are committed to building a nation of bright hope for our children.

“These are leaders who had privatised electricity, which is not working. They gave us darkness, and we are trying to get through it.

“But they don’t even believe in the democracy that they preach all about. Don’t pay attention to them because I don’t.

“We stay on our lanes. We stay focused. We build our life on people, the welfare, the prosperity, and the promise of today and tomorrow.”

Nigeria’s democracy’ll survive despite intimidation – Tinubu