Senator for Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has called on governors opposing the new tax bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu to engage in negotiations rather than outright rejection.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, Oshiomhole, a former Edo State governor and ex-labour leader, emphasised the importance of dialogue in addressing concerns over the contentious bills.
The proposed tax reforms have sparked widespread criticism, with the 36 state governors under the National Economic Council (NEC) and the 19 northern governors unequivocally rejecting key sections and demanding the withdrawal of the bills from the National Assembly.
Responding to this opposition, Oshiomhole argued, “If you withdraw it, you have closed the debate. It is better debated at public hearings. These laws are for the Nigerian people, and it is they who should examine them constructively to determine whether they are in their interest.”
He noted that in a democracy, compromise is inevitable, stating, “Nobody gets everything they want; you get what you negotiate.”
Oshiomhole also dismissed claims that the bills would disproportionately benefit one region over another, urging Nigerians to avoid viewing the proposals through ethnic or religious lenses. He stressed that productive debates must prioritise truth and reason.
While acknowledging the president’s right to propose tax reforms, Oshiomhole said the legislative process requires input and modification. “The president has not sent us a law but proposals for us to review, debate, negotiate, and amend as necessary before passing them back as legislation,” he said.
He further warned against reducing the National Assembly to a rubber-stamp institution, emphasising that robust debate and legislative scrutiny are critical to democracy.