Northern leaders, including members of the National Assembly, Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), and the League of Northern Democrats, have condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration that the controversial tax reform bills will not be reversed. They criticized the decision as unilateral and lacking inclusive consultations.
During a media chat in Lagos, Tinubu defended the bills, stating they aim to eliminate colonial-era tax assumptions. However, Senator Mohammed Onawo argued that the President, as a former legislator, should respect due legislative processes. He emphasized the importance of lawmakers reviewing the bills and identifying contentious areas.
Similarly, Senator Ibrahim Gobir accused Tinubu of regional favoritism, claiming the tax allocation primarily benefits Lagos, Rivers, and Ogun states. Gobir stated, “We will dump the bills unless all abnormalities are corrected.”
The NEF warned that Tinubu’s assertion undermines democratic governance and risks creating unnecessary tension between the executive and legislative arms. League of Northern Democrats spokesperson Umar Sani echoed the sentiment, cautioning against rigidity and urging review of contentious aspects like inheritance tax.
The tax reform bills, transmitted to the National Assembly in September 2024, include frameworks for tax administration, revenue services, and dispute resolution, based on recommendations from the Taiwo Oyedele-led committee.
