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Governors Threaten Lawmakers Over Tinubu’s Tax Bills

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2 hours ago

Nov 18, 2024.

Deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, Mr. Philip Agbese, has alleged that some governors are coercing federal lawmakers to withdraw their support for President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills.

According to Agbese, these governors have threatened to deny lawmakers return tickets for the 2027 elections if they back the proposed legislation.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Agbese revealed that the lawmakers would engage the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, and other tax experts on the bills today, ahead of their deliberations in the National Assembly.

On September 3, 2024, President Tinubu submitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly based on recommendations from the Oyedele-led committee. The bills aim to overhaul Nigeria’s tax system. Key proposals include:

The Nigeria Tax Bill 2024: Establishing a comprehensive fiscal framework.

The Tax Administration Bill: Streamlining legal frameworks to reduce disputes.

The Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill: Replacing the Federal Inland Revenue Service with the Nigeria Revenue Service.

The Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill: Creating a tax tribunal and ombudsman.

State governors, however, have demanded the withdrawal of these bills, citing insufficient consultation. Despite this, President Tinubu has maintained that the bills should proceed, with potential amendments during legislative debate.

Speaking to The Punch, Agbese criticized the governors’ threats, emphasizing that lawmakers would not be swayed. “We were elected by our constituents, not the governors,” he said, adding that the House is determined to support reforms aimed at economic recovery.

Governors Tinubu’s Tax Bills

Agbese also highlighted the unity within the 10th Assembly, noting that members are committed to Nigeria’s progress. “This Assembly is intellectually sound and progressive-minded,” he asserted.

Lawmakers have received copies of the bills for independent study ahead of Tuesday’s plenary. Agbese predicted the bills would pass with minor amendments, reflecting a balance of patriotism and intellectual rigor.

Commenting on the upcoming session, Mr. Afam Ogene, representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, urged Nigerians to trust the legislature’s deliberations. He acknowledged concerns about the bills’ motives but stressed the importance of dialogue and public input.

Similarly, Mr. Odianosen Okojie from Edo State encouraged swift passage of the bills, describing them as pivotal to national progress. In contrast, PDP lawmaker Oluwole Oke pledged to work with the committee to refine the proposals.

The National Assembly is set to reconvene tomorrow, with the tax reform bills expected to dominate discussions. Efforts to obtain comments from Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu were unsuccessful.