- Denies Suspending Deliberation On Bills As South-South Senators Back Bills
- Don’t Politicise Tax Reform Bills, TUC Warns Nigerians
- Those Against Bills Politically Motivated, Says Abba Moro
The last has not been heard of the brouhaha that has trailed the Tax Reform Bills that have been sent to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Since President Tinubu sent the bills to the National Assembly on October 3, 2024, they have been greeted by controversies, outrage, and backlash from some quarters.
Predominantly, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has kicked against the bills after a joint meeting with the northern traditional rulers’ council at the Kaduna government house on October 28.
Similarly, the National Economic Council (NEC) also objected to the bill urging the President to withdraw them.
Following the outcry that ensued, reports had emerged in some sections of the media that the Upper Chamber had suspended deliberations on the bill.
However, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Thursday denied this had happened while reiterating that the upper chamber remains focused on its mandate to represent Nigerians’ interests and will not be intimidated by external pressures.
During the plenary, the leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele had raised a Point of Order on the alleged suspension of deliberation on the bills, with a wave of the hand, Akpabio dismissed the reports.
“The Senate cannot be bullied. Any reform that we are convinced serves the interest of Nigerians will proceed. These bills contain provisions that are in the best interest of the public.”
The Senate leader in his remarks, equally cautioned against misinformation from social media or media reports, urging the public to focus on facts.
READ ALSO: Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills Suffer Setback
“We have not suspended or withdrawn deliberations on the tax reform bills. Any attempt to intimidate the Senate is undemocratic. These bills are executive communications, and only the executive arm can withdraw them. We remain steadfast in our legislative responsibilities.”
He again underscored the legislature’s independence, stating that, “We don’t take orders from anyone or any office, no matter how highly placed.”
Senator Akpabio underscored that the Senate is not in a hurry and will do a thorough job on the bills before the house and has therefore taken further legislative actions on the bills, including the formation of a special committee representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to engage with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, to address contentious issues.
The Senate President explained that public hearings and consultations with stakeholders, including governors, religious leaders, and business leaders are imperative to resolve any uncertainties.
“If six weeks are insufficient, we will extend the time. We are committed to transparency and addressing all concerns,” he said.
Meanwhile, the bills have received the support of South-South Senators in the Upper Chamber.
The lawmakers under the aegis of the South-South Senators’ Forum stressed the importance of tax reforms in boosting national revenue and fostering economic stability.
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In a statement issued in Abuja by the Chairman of the Forum, Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), the lawmakers highlighted their commitment to conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the bills to ensure they align with national interests, particularly the well-being of the South-South region.
They also called on South-South governors to work collaboratively with lawmakers to refine the bills for mutual benefit.
The Senators, representing Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers States, passed a vote of confidence in Senate President Godswill Akpabio, praising his leadership in advancing the Senate’s constitutional mandate.
The Forum urged stakeholders to avoid introducing regional, ethnic, or tribal sentiments into the national dialogue, advocating for robust interactions and consultations in the legislative process.
In a related development, Abba Moro, Minority Leader of the Senate, has disclosed that the criticisms against the proposed tax reform bills are politically motivated.
READ ALSO: Senate Will Pass Tax Reform Bills In Spite Of Opposition— Dickson
The Benue south senator spoke on ‘The Morning Show,’ an Arise Television programme, on Thursday.
Moro, while defending the reforms, insisted that they were introduced with the best interests of the nation in mind.
He noted that many of the objections to the bills stemmed from a lack of understanding, exacerbated by political rhetoric.
“It is assumed that if you introduce derivation in sharing VAT now, you’re going against the constitution because there is no constitutional provision for that,” Moro said.
The lawmaker added that, based on social media and recent publications, the entire debate has been politicised in an attempt to create a divide between the north and south.
“I dare to say that it is the politicisation of this bill that is, in the first place, responsible for where we are now. So, I don’t want to look at the political side of it,” he said.
“I think that by the time further advocacy and sensitisation is carried out, very many people — who out of lack of understanding apparently may have been kicking against this bill — will come to realise that the bill means well for the entirety of Nigeria.”
In another development, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, on Thursday cautioned Nigerians against politicising the tax reform bills.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Osifo said the bills are good, stressing that the concerns raised from the bill are to be expected.
“Those undertones are clearly there. It started from the Northern Governors Forum, it metamorphosed into the General Governors’ Forum and it went into the National Economic Council.
“At this stage of our development, we should be wary. We shouldn’t politicise everything. Bringing in tribal talks or ethnicity, I don’t think this is right,” he said.
