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Obasanjo launches Nigeria’s coalition movement

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8 years ago

January 31, 2018

By Boluwatife Ezekiel Olaleye

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s proposed political movement, Coalition for Nigeria, CN, has been launched in Abuja.

The launch held at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

Former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Donald Duke were in attendance.

Obasanjo suggested the formation of the movement in his recent statement on President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration.

Speaking at the event, Oyinlola said the group is not yet a political party.

Oyinlola said for it to make electoral impact in the manner described by the former President, they would need to follow the constitution and register it as a political party.

He said, “If and when we come to an agreement that we must metaphose into a political party, then we will.

“We’re not a political party, at least, for now.

“We recognise the facts that by the dictates of the Constitution, you can only contest on the platform of a political party.”

Related Topics:Coalition for Nigeria (CN)Former President Olusegun Obasanjo political movement

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Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector is under fresh financial pressure following the introduction of a new 5% federal levy on air tickets, intensifying concerns over rising operating costs, fragmented taxation, and expensive aircraft leasing arrangements that airlines say are threatening industry sustainability. The new levy, introduced as part of aviation revenue reforms, is collected alongside existing statutory charges imposed by multiple agencies. Airline operators say the additional deduction further compresses already thin profit margins in an industry already weighed down by high jet fuel prices, regulatory fees, and foreign-exchange–linked obligations. Industry stakeholders warn that the cumulative effect could push up ticket prices, dampen passenger demand, and worsen liquidity challenges for domestic carriers already struggling with cash flow constraints. Rising Tensions Between Regulators and Airlines The financial strain has coincided with renewed friction between the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), following disputes over the remittance of statutory charges and the delivery of regulatory services. Operators say the situation reflects deeper systemic liquidity stress across the sector, where airlines are increasingly unable to meet overlapping obligations imposed by aviation agencies while maintaining operational stability. A Layered and Fragmented Tax System At the centre of industry complaints is what operators describe as a “multi-layered and excessive” taxation structure involving the NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). Airlines such as Air Peace, Ibom Air, and United Nigeria Airlines are subject to a range of compulsory charges, including the 5% ticket levy, passenger service charges, value-added tax on tickets and aviation inputs, and other operational deductions collected at different stages of the value chain. Industry players argue that the system creates cash flow distortions because several charges are collected upfront or deducted at source, leaving airlines with reduced working capital for day-to-day operations. Beyond ticket-based deductions, carriers also face landing fees, parking charges, overflight fees, navigation levies, and ground handling costs. Combined with jet fuel, which accounts for a significant share of total operating expenses, analysts say profitability on many domestic routes has been severely constrained. 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Obasanjo launches Nigeria’s coalition movement

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