Ali Ndume, a federal lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District in the National Assembly (NASS), has said the tax reform bills sent to the legislative arm by President Bola Tinubu are “dead on arrival.”
Ndume urged the President to heed the advice of the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Northern Governors’ Forum by immediately withdrawing the bills.
“If it goes on like this, I can tell you that it will be dead on arrival. We don’t need to study the bills,” remarked the outspoken lawmaker, known for his unconventional stance on national issues, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday.
Ndume, one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the National Assembly, stated that the Federal Government should seek ways to reduce the tax burden on Nigerians rather than increase it.
“Nigerians are generally not willing to discuss or pay any tax at the moment, given the (economic) situation we are currently in,” he said.
He continued, “Nigerians are willing to pay taxes but only when they can afford it. Right now, people are struggling to survive. Let people live first before you start asking them for taxes.”
‘Nigerians Against Tax Increase’
The senator added, “It would be fair to shut down the bill; it’s the fairest thing to do,” noting that he has begun campaigning against the bills among his colleagues and is gaining substantial support to reject them.
Ndume, a member of the President’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), also expressed that the Tinubu administration should look inward for reforms instead of increasing taxes for Nigerians.
He stated, “What he (Tinubu) needs to do is withdraw the bill, educate Nigerians, and make us understand it. We represent the people, and those we represent have already spoken.
“The governors and traditional rulers have made it clear that the bill is not favourable. So, the best course of action is to withdraw it immediately.
“At the moment, our people are saying they don’t want a VAT bill; they don’t even want to hear about it. That’s why we’re going to ensure it is dead on arrival.”
The tax reform bills submitted to the National Assembly have faced harsh criticism, with the 36 state governors urging the President to withdraw the bills from the legislature. However, the President has maintained that the bills will not be withdrawn but that “inputs and necessary changes” can be made by the lawmakers.