President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Justice and the National Assembly to address concerns raised regarding the proposed Tax Reform Bills.
The bills, which have faced criticism from various quarters, including some governors—particularly in the northern region—are viewed by critics as potentially detrimental to northern states and burdensome to Nigerians.
To mitigate these concerns, President Tinubu has tasked the Justice Ministry to collaborate with National Assembly leaders to refine the bills.
“The government has no hidden agenda to justify claims that the process is rushed,” Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated on Tuesday. “In line with legislative procedures, the Federal Government welcomes meaningful contributions to address any grey areas in the bills.”
The President has directed relevant officials involved in drafting the bills to work closely with the National Assembly to resolve all genuine concerns before final passage.
Speaking on the issue, Mohammed Idris emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to transparency and accountability, lauding the public discourse surrounding the bills as a hallmark of democracy.
“It is inspiring to see Nigerians actively expressing their views on these critical national issues,” he said. “This embodies the essence of democracy.”
However, Idris cautioned against injecting ethnic or regional biases into the debate, labeling claims that the reforms would impoverish northern states as “fake news and misinformation.”
“The fiscal reforms will neither impoverish any region nor weaken federal agencies,” he added. Instead, they are designed to empower states and local governments for sustainable growth and development.
When implemented, the minister assured, the reforms would bring relief to millions of Nigerians and channel resources into critical infrastructure such as healthcare, education, transportation, and technology.
“These reforms aim to ensure that no one is left behind,” Idris stated, highlighting their role in fostering equitable growth nationwide.
Amid heated debates, a town hall meeting hosted by Channels Television featured prominent figures including Taiwo Oyedele, Chair of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; and Nasarawa State Governor Sule Abdullahi.
During the discussion, panelists called for calm and urged a collaborative approach to address the contentious aspects of the bills.
Oyedele noted that the bills contain over 200 transformative provisions designed to set Nigeria on the path to prosperity. “We shouldn’t let one or two contentious points overshadow the broader benefits,” he said.
Dogara also appealed to the northern region, urging restraint and understanding. “This is not the time to condemn the president or label these bills as anti-north,” he remarked.
Despite the ongoing debates, the Tax Reform Bills have already passed their second reading in the Senate, moving closer to final approval.
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