Ali Ndume, a federal lawmaker representing Borno South in the National Assembly, has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills, particularly the VAT bill, are “dead on arrival.”
Ndume explained that there is significant public resistance to the bills, particularly the VAT increase, which many Nigerians reject given the current economic hardships. He urged President Tinubu to heed the advice of the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Northern Governors’ Forum to withdraw the bills immediately.
“The general sentiment is that Nigerians cannot bear more taxes right now,” Ndume said. “People are struggling to survive, and it is unfair to burden them with higher taxes when they can barely make ends meet.”
As a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ndume emphasized that the focus should be on reforming the government itself rather than imposing additional financial burdens on the citizens. He called for a wider public understanding of the bills before moving forward with them, stressing that the people have made their opposition clear.
“Governors and traditional leaders have spoken out against these reforms, and it would be best for the President to withdraw them immediately,” Ndume concluded.
Despite this pushback, President Tinubu has insisted that the tax reforms will not be withdrawn, though he remains open to lawmakers’ suggestions for necessary amendments.
