President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Justice and the National Assembly to address concerns raised regarding the tax bills.
Criticism has followed Tinubu’s submission of the Tax Reform Bills to the National Assembly, creating tension between the president and some governors, with the strongest opposition coming from the northern region.
Some critics argue that the bills disproportionately target the northern region, while others claim they could exacerbate poverty across the nation.
In response to these concerns, President Tinubu has tasked the Justice Ministry with examining the issues raised and collaborating with the leadership of the National Assembly to refine the contentious elements of the bills.
“It is important to clarify that there is no hidden agenda, nor is the process being unduly rushed,” said Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, in a statement issued on Tuesday. “Following established legislative procedures, the Federal Government welcomes constructive contributions to address any ambiguities in the bills.”
President Tinubu has reportedly directed the Federal Ministry of Justice and other relevant officials involved in drafting the bills to work closely with the National Assembly to ensure all legitimate concerns are resolved before the bills are enacted.
‘Spirit of Democratic Engagement’
Mohammed emphasised Tinubu’s commitment to accountability and described the ongoing debates as both “welcome and commendable.”
“It is inspiring to see Nigerians from all walks of life engaging in discussions on these matters of significant national importance,” he said. “This is the essence of democracy.”
The minister urged for civility in the discourse, discouraging ethnic and regional slurs, and reaffirmed that the government is not seeking to impoverish any region. He dismissed allegations against the bills as “fake news” and “misinformation.”
“The fiscal reforms will not impoverish any state or region, nor will they weaken or abolish any federal agencies,” he said.
When implemented, the minister stated, the reforms would “bring relief to millions of hardworking Nigerians” and enable the states and 774 local governments to achieve sustainable development.
“The resources conserved and generated from these reforms will be reinvested in critical infrastructure, including healthcare, education, transportation, digital technology, and social investments, ensuring that no one is left behind,” Mohammed added.
Experts Call for Restraint
The Tax Reform Bills have sparked widespread debate.
In response, Channels Television hosted a town hall meeting to deliberate on the pros and cons of the reforms. The event featured prominent figures, including the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, and Governor Sule Abdullahi of Nasarawa.
Panelists urged restraint and called for the contentious aspects of the bills to be addressed.
Oyedele, who led the development of the bills, highlighted their transformative potential, stating that they contain “over 200 provisions to fix the country and set it on the path to prosperity.”
“We should not allow one or two provisions, which can easily be discussed and resolved, to overshadow the benefits,” he said.
Dogara also appealed to northern stakeholders, urging them not to label the president as anti-north over the bills.
“I appeal to my brothers in the North: this is not the time to condemn the president or assume these bills are anti-north,” he said.
Despite the controversies, the Tax Reform Bills have passed their second reading in the Senate, even as calls for their withdrawal persist.