By Uzair Adam
President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Justice and the National Assembly to address concerns surrounding the proposed Tax Reform Bills.
The bills, recently transmitted to the National Assembly, have faced widespread criticism, particularly from northern governors who argue that the reforms could disproportionately affect their region and worsen the economic situation for Nigerians.
In response, Tinubu directed the Justice Ministry to collaborate with the National Assembly to resolve the contentious issues before the bills are passed into law.
This directive was conveyed in a statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who clarified that the government welcomes constructive feedback.
“It is pertinent to state that the government has nothing sinister to warrant the suggestion that the process is being rushed,” Idris said.
“The Federal Government welcomes meaningful inputs to address any grey areas in the bill.”
The minister reiterated the benefits of civil discourse and urged Nigerians to refrain from injecting ethnic or regional sentiments into the debate.
He dismissed claims that the bills are designed to impoverish northern states as “fake news” and “misinformation.”
According to Idris, the fiscal reforms aim to benefit all Nigerians by enhancing critical infrastructure such as healthcare, education, transportation, and digital technology.
He assured that the reforms would not weaken any federal agencies or marginalise any state or region.
“When passed, these bills are expected to bring relief to millions of hardworking Nigerians and empower the 774 local governments for sustainable growth and development,” the statement added.
The minister concluded that Tinubu’s commitment to transparency and accountability is a sign of good outcomes in the ongoing public debates as a healthy aspect of democracy.