Dino Melaye, a disgrace to the Senate - Tinubu

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016—45 Osoba @77: The ‘recurrent comeback kid' By Kayode Odunaro ON Sunday April 3, 2016, a most momentous event took place at the Bourdillion, Ikoyi residence of Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former two time governor of Ogun State. In attendance were the leading lights of current progressive politics in the South West and indeed Nigeria that were instrumental to midwifing an opposition party that electorally took over power from a ruling party since 1999. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, a host of Segun Osoba sitting governors and their representatives and other diehard progressives all converged in the house of Osoba with a singular aim: Bring Back Osoba into APC. At the end of the day the aim was achieved and Osoba is back in APC that he helped midwife before local politics of his home state, Ogun, forced him to briefly sojourn in SDP. Details of the forces and events that led to his surprising exit from APC may rightly be situated in the merger of strange bedfellows that produced the APC and the dilution of progressive politics with individuals that hardly share the ideals of progressivism. And of course there were issues of personal animosities and clash of egos with some agenda to demystify if not erase the political stature of Osoba from the landscape of Ogun state politics once and for all times. Any intelligent political observer can readily see that the come-back bid of Osoba into APC is about one of the most important political developments in 2016, not only in Ogun State, but in the South West and indeed our national politics as by all standards, Osoba is an elder statesman that had paid his d u e s adequately in national development first as a renowned journalist, t h e n administrator and politician. Indeed in the trajectory of his life Osoba has had many successful comeback bids in the past Rural areas of the state will always see his administration as a reference point when governance touched their lives with the man passing through some trying times that nearly snuff out his life in the struggle for a democratic Nigeria. In his home state of Ogun, there are probably no political leaders alive outside former President Olusegun Obasanjo that has had a more chequered political history over the years than Osoba. As the democratically elected successor to the first elected governor of the state, Chief Bisi Onabanjo, Osoba continued to build on the solid foundation laid by Onabanjo but the continuation was cut short barely two years after by a military interregnum that led Osoba to join the democratic struggle to free Nigeria from military rule. His roles with NADECO under the regime of General Sanni Abacha nearly cost him his life on more than one occasion and he had to go underground at some point at a great cost to his personal family life. The stories of his life during these periods are in the public domain and do not bear rehearsing here. But suffice to say that at the end of that era, Osoba made a comeback as the third elected governor of Ogun State in 1999 under the progressive party of Alliance for Democracy, AD. The next four years saw him executing perhaps the best rural development strategy in the history of the state in the area of provision of rural electrification, water and rural roads. Till date, the rural areas of the state will always see his administration as a reference point when governance touched their lives. The year 2003 saw him leaving the centre stage again as he ‘lost’ his re-election bid in the “capture politics” that saw the conservative ruling PDP at the Federal level sweeping the poll in South West states with the singular exception of Lagos State. But by 2011, Osoba’s progressive party that has now metamorphosised to Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, was in the clear reckoning to present a winning candidate with Asiwaju Tinubu playing the yeoman’s role of a catalyzer. At the end of the day by the logic of using an opposition figure on a popular platform ACN fielded Senator Amosun as its candidates with Osoba as undisputed leader. Democratic politics Now Osoba is back in another comeback bid with his political structure backed by the progressives of the South West. There has been grumbling and uneasiness in some quarters in Ogun State about his return. However, the game of democratic politics is a game of numbers where every political group works to gain the most numbers among the electorate. Only selfish and exclusionist politicians would not welcome new members, more so members that they once co-habited with and benefitted from their membership and support. Indeed, we are daily regale with opposition PDP members decamping to APC and being welcome. So one sees no oddity in Osoba and his group returning to APC. Born to the family of Pa and Madam Jonathan Babatunde Osoba at an Egba settlement, Egbatedo, in Osogbo on July 15, 1939, Osoba attended African Church School, Osogbo, Methodist Boys High School, Lagos. He was at University of Lagos for his Diploma in Journalism. •Odunaro was former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Segun Osoba From left: Mrs Emuesiri Agbeyi, member, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, Mr Opeyemi Agbaje, moderator/ member Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Mrs Edobong Akpabio, 2nd Vice President NECA Network Enterprise Women, Prof. Ropo Sekoni, chairman, Board of Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Mr Wahab Gbadamosi, Head Communication and Sericom Dept, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, and Mrs Adebimpe Balogun, guest speaker/ former president of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN, during the eighth Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture with theme Tax Education, National Development and the Seminal role of the Media'' held in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi Economic depression: FG cautioned over 10% tax increment •It is suicidal, irrational – CITN former president •Legislators should live by examples in tax compliance •States should look inward for survival away from oil revenue By Nkiruka Nnorom, Ediri Ejoh and Monsuru Olowoopejo AFORMER president of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN, and Managing Partner, Saffron Professional Services, Mrs Adebimpe Balogun, yesterday, faulted the move by the Federal Government to increase Value Added Tax, VAT, to more than five per cent, saying the present economic situation in the country does not support such irrational development. Balogun who spoke at the eighth Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series, themed: “Tax Education, National Development and the Seminal Role of the Media”, said that rather than increase taxes payable by Nigerians as being mulled by the federal government, government at all levels should broaden their tax base by bringing more people in the formal and informal sectors into the tax net. Speaking on ‘Falling Crude Prices: How can effective taxes help limit the hardship’ , Balogun, who was the first female president of CITN charged the state governments to look inward and develop other products that could generate additional internally generated revenue that would help them cope well with the economic recession rather than depend solely on the monthly federal allocations. Dynamic tax reform She further called on the law makers and other highly placed government officials who earn heavy salaries to lead by example by paying taxes commensurate to what they earn. While noting that lawmakers were not exempted, she called for a more sustainable and dynamic tax reform system. She said: “Anybody that is thinking of increasing the VAT rate, is a suicidal attempt for our economy. Right now, people are suffering over the inability to pay for many tax required fees, ranging from the schools, rents, etc. “This is not the time to start asking tax payers for higher rate. But rather it is the time to expand the tax base and the tax net, to capture those who are not in the tax net at the moment. We have a misconception about who are the informal sector stakeholders. The informal sector are not just the traders, or the ‘Balogun, Ojo market traders', but rather those who do portfolio contracts and collect the juicy contracts from the government and are not charged adequately. The question I have for the Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, is; to what extent are they using our withholding tax system to capture these people? This is because the federal government agencies that give out these contracts are obliged to withhold taxes. And so, how much of that do we leverage to be able to attract taxes from those informal sectors and not collecting much taxes from employees, though I am not saying that employees should not be taxed.” States’ IGR Balogun, further noted that there is need for the federal government to harness its local resources that will shore up development across the states away from dependency on the oil revenues allotted them from federal allocations. While regretting that about 75 per cent of states in the country still depend on oil revenue, she said: “It is time to develop other products of our economy. The natural resources ranges from agriculture, tourism and entertainment industry. They should be improved upon as they employ quite a number of persons. Dubai for instance survives on tourism. Let us look inward, as well as other areas where we can actually improve their productivity and not just taxes. Also there is need to invest on exports and creating an attractive environment, as massive revenues are generated from export.” Meanwhile, on states with increased IGR, she identified Ogun, Anambra and Borno States, saying that they have done significantly well in developing other sources of revenue. For instance, she said that Ogun State increased its IGR by 49.42 percent from N17.57 billion in 2014 to N34.65 billion in 2015, while Anambra achieved 29.32 percent increase from N10.45 billion in 2014 to N14.79 billion in 2015. Borno State on the other hand, increased its IGR by 21.8 percent from N2.766 billion in
46 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 UK: Cameron quits as May takes over FORMER British Home Secretary, Mrs. Theresa May yesterday assumed the leadership of the United Kingdom after the exit of David Cameron, who said the job was the “greatest honour of his life”. As Cameron left Downing Street on Wednesday to tender his resignation to Queen Elizabeth II, he said: “It’s not been an easy journey and of course we’ve not got every decision right, but I do believe that our country is much stronger. Above all it was about turning around the economy.” The former home secretary travelled to Buckingham Palace where she officially accepted the Queen’s invitation to form a new government. She becomes the UK’s second ever female PM, after Margaret Thatcher. Earlier in the day, he made his final appearance in parliament as Britain’s leader, turning the normally raucous prime minister’s questions session into a time for praise, thanks, gentle ribbing and cheers. Prime Minister’s Questions, a weekly session, culminated in a standing ovation for the 49-year old, who is leaving office after voters rejected his advice and decided to leave the European Union “I will miss the roar of the crowd. I will miss the barbs of the opposition,” Cameron said in parliament, promising to watch future exchanges as a regular Conservative Party politician on the back benches. Cameron also poked fun at the leadership turmoil going on in the Labour Party, telling opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn that the Tories have had “resignation, nomin-ation, competition and coronation” while Labour is still working out its leadership rules. “Those phone calls from German Chancellor Angela] Merkel and [French President Francois Hollande will be very interesting in context of the looming Brexit - a British exit from the EU.” May’s new cabinet is expected to include a minister in charge of implementing Brexit. May, who backed remaining in the EU, will also be expected to reward prominent campaigners for a “leave” vote with key jobs. Observers are keen to see if she appoints former London Mayor Boris Johnson and Justice •Advises May to be close to EU •New PM promises better Britain •Appoints Chancellor, Foreign Sec, Brexit Minister, Home Sec *Theresa May was applauded as she entered 10 Downing Street for the first time as PM Secretary Michael Gove, one-time Conservative leadership contenders who jointly headed the “leave” campaign before Gove turned on Johnson. There is also speculation that May, Britain’s second female prime minister - after Margaret Thatcher - will boost the number of women in top posts. “My advice to my successor, who is a brilliant negotiator, is that we should try to be as close to the European Union as we can be for the benefits of trade, cooperation and of security,” Cameron told parliament. “The Channel will not get any wider once we leave the European Union, and that is the relationship we should seek.” Who is Theresa May? Theresa Mary May is the Member of Parliament for Maidenhead andBritain’s new Prime Minister. She entered Parliament in 1997 and under Prime Minister David Cameron My advice to my successor, who is a brilliant negotiator, is that we should try to be as close to the European Union as we can be for the benefits of trade, cooperation and of security, has been the longestserving Home Secretary in 50 years. Her early years Vicar’s daughter Mrs May was born on October 1, 1956, in Eastbourne, Sussex. She grew up in Oxfordshire to parents Reverend Hubert Brasier and his wife, Zaidee. Her father died in a car accident in 1981 and she lost her mother months later. Mrs May was educated at Wheatley Park Comprehensive School near Oxford, before gaining a place at St Hugh’s College, Oxford where she read geography. She started her career at the Bank of England where she stayed for six years, before moving to the Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS). She began her political career stuffing envelopes at her local Conservative Association before becoming a councillor in the London Borough of Merton from 1986 to 1994. She later headed to Westminster as MP for Maidenhead in 1997. She is married to banker Philip May and has no children. The couple, who have a shared love of cricket, met at a Conservative Association dance party andhave been married for 36 years. They live in Sonning, Berkshire. Mrs May is truly the quiet woman of British politics. The Home Secretary played a clever hand during the EU referendum by staying out of the fray and letting events play out around her. In an interview with the BBC she gave a taste of which direction the Party could go under her leadership when she made a clear call for “further reform” to EU free movement rules. Life outside of politics Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Abba’s Dancing Queen and Walk Like A Man, from the musical Jersey Boys, were among her picks. The fashion-conscious politician, known for her love of kitten heel shoes and designer outfits, chose a lifetime’s subscription to Vogue as her luxury item to take to the island. She also enjoys occasional mountain walks and culinary experimentation - she owns more than 100 cookbooks. Mrs May is a practising member of the Anglican church, but said it was “right that we don’t flaunt these things here in British politics”. Mrs May has Type 1 diabetes which means she must inject herself with insulin at least twice a day for the rest of her life. Political experience •Councillor, London Borough of Merton 1986- 94 •1992 parliamentary candidate NW Durham •1994 parliamentary candidate in the Barking by-election •MP for Maidenhead 1997 to present •Shadow education secretary 1999-2001 •Shadow transport 2001-2003, Conservative Party Chairman 2002-3 •Shadow transport 2003- 4 •Shadow culture media & sport 2004-5 •Shadow leader of the House of Commons 2005- 9 •Shadow work & pensions 2009-10 •Home Secretary 2010- 2016 •Prime Minister 2016- What May is proposing Theresa May will barely have time to unpack her bags before she will face her first test - who she will choose to sit alongside her around the Cabinet table. The most important appointments - chancellor, foreign secretary and home secretary - are expected to be announced on Wednesday with a fuller government reshuffle following over the next couple of days. Mrs May will be expected to reward allies who supported her in the leadership contest but also maintain a balance between Brexiteers and Remainers in the Cabinet. She will need to find room for some new faces while also maintaining a core of experience. Mrs May has floated the idea of a new government department to take day-today charge of negotiating the UK’s exit from the EU - to be headed by someone who campaigned to leave in the referendum. Chris Grayling, a prominent Brexiteer who supported her leadership bid, acting as her campaign manager, has been touted as a possible candidate for this role. Liam Fox, another Leave supporter who got behind Mrs May, after his own leadership bid failed, will also have hopes of a top job. Brexiteers would also be keen to see Andrea Leadsom rewarded with a prominent role, after giving way to Mrs May in the leadership contest, although the crucial role of chancellor could go to someone with more experience. May ally and Remainer Philip Hammond, currently foreign secretary, is seen by some as the favourite. Then there is the dilemma of what to do with some of the “big beasts” of the party, such as George Osborne, Michael Gove and Boris Johnson. Will they want to stick around and serve under her given each had leadership ambitions of their own? How can you have a new PM without an election? British prime ministers are not directly elected - they become head of government by virtue of leading a party that can command a majority in the House of Commons. So when the party leader, in this case David Cameron of the *May visits Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace where she officially accepted the Queen’s invitation to form a new government. *David Cameron (L) and his wife, Samantha Cameron steps out of 10 Downing Street in central London yesterday with their children Nancy, Florence and Arthur Elwen Conservatives, resigns, his successor automatically becomes prime minister. In some cases, a new leader may decide to seek their own mandate by then calling a general election. But there is no requirement to do so. Some may remember that Labour’s Gordon Brown didn’t go to the public after succeeding Tony Blair in 2007. And the of 2011 now makes it more difficult to have an early election. This means new Conservative leader Theresa May could govern until 2020 before a general election is held.
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Dino Melaye, a disgrace to the Senate - Tinubu

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