Ali Ndume has committed to leading the campaign against the bills, emphasizing his determination to protect the economic interests of the northern region and its residents.
Abuja, Nigeria — Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, and Deputy Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Aliyu Madaki Gini, have pledged to rally their fellow legislators in opposition to the proposed tax reform bills currently under review in the National Assembly.
The lawmakers’ stance follows a recent recommendation by the National Economic Council (NEC) — led by Vice President Kashim Shettima and comprised of governors from the 19 northern states and influential traditional leaders — urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withdraw the bills to allow further consultations, citing the controversial nature of the proposals.
However, President Tinubu has maintained that the legislative process should proceed, emphasizing that the ongoing discussions provide opportunities for input and adjustments without the need to withdraw the bills.
In interviews with BBC Hausa, both Ndume and Madaki voiced deep concerns about the impact of the bills on the northern region’s economy. Madaki warned that if enacted, the bills could intensify economic hardship and poverty across northern Nigeria, stating, “If allowed, the bill would further plunge the entire northern region into misery, poverty, and economic woes. As representatives of the people, we will mobilise, God willing, to defeat the bill.”
Ndume echoed similar concerns, underscoring the importance of respecting the people’s voices in a democratic system. He pointed to a comparative tax policy in Ghana, which has reduced tax rates, as a model for alleviating economic strain. Ndume criticized the adoption of International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank recommendations, arguing they do not align with Nigeria’s unique economic circumstances and could be detrimental.
On September 3, President Tinubu submitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly. The legislation includes the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, aimed at establishing a fiscal framework for national taxation, and the Tax Administration Bill, which seeks to create a streamlined legal structure for tax administration, reducing potential disputes.
The package also features the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which would replace the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act with the establishment of a Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, proposing the creation of a tax tribunal and ombudsman.
The federal government has described the reforms as necessary steps to improve tax administration and eliminate overlapping responsibilities among federal, state, and local tax authorities, which it says currently lead to inefficiency and confusion.
Ndume has committed to leading the campaign against the bills, emphasizing his determination to protect the economic interests of the northern region and its residents.
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