By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
Northern lawmakers in the National Assembly have concluded plans for a showdown if the tax reform bills currently before the assembly are not withdrawn as the legislative arm resumes today.
They reiterated their calls for the withdrawal of the bills citing concerns about the timing, lack of proper consultations with stakeholders, and the structure and content of the bills.
Although the bills passed second reading in the Senate before the red chamber went on the yuletide break, further legislative work was paused for additional consultations following widespread controversy.
To address these concerns, the Senate formed a committee led by Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) to meet with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to resolve the issues surrounding the bills.
Despite the ongoing controversy, President Tinubu has insisted that the tax reform is here to stay.However, northern lawmakers remain firm in their stance that the bills should be withdrawn.
They plan to make their position clear as the National Assembly resumes its sessions today, with the 2025 budget defence and the tax reform bills set to dominate the agenda.Speaking with journalists, Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) expressed his opposition, identifying four key issues with the bills: wrong timing, constitutional concerns regarding derivation, opposition to the proposed VAT increase, and lack of proper consultation.
He stated that, “It’s not against the Northern interest, but against Nigeria’s federal system.”
Ndume criticized the government’s actions, saying, “There is an illegal commitment with the World Bank. Agencies have exceeded revenue targets; what did they do with that money? Why borrow when targets are met?”
Similarly, Bashir Zubairu, representing Birnin Gwari/Giwa Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, warned against the bill, calling it an “imposition” designed to put the North at a disadvantage.
“We will fight the forces behind the plan to impose an unpopular legislation that will be detrimental to millions of Nigerians. It will be a big battle against people who think what they want must be implemented at the expense of others.
“The proponents are trying to do everything to see the bills through including blackmail and other means. They will try to do to us what they did to Senator Abdul Ningi. So, we are calling on our people to support us. We must not be left alone,” he added.