THE ongoing debate surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills has sparked division within the Nigerian House of Representatives, with northern lawmakers expressing concern over the legislation.
While some lawmakers are eager to push the bills forward, leaders from northern Nigeria, including former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, are calling for a review of the bills, citing significant concerns that need to be addressed.
The bills in question, which were submitted to the National Assembly in October after receiving approval from the Federal Executive Council, aim to overhaul the country’s tax system and improve revenue generation.
The four key bills—Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill—are central to this effort.
At the public presentation of the technical committee’s findings in Abuja, Shekarau, speaking on behalf of the League of Northern Democrats, expressed cautious optimism about the potential of the reforms to boost Nigeria’s economy.
However, he stressed that several provisions within the bills could have negative implications for northern Nigeria and called for a careful review.
“We view the tax reforms as a necessary step toward economic growth, but the concerns of Nigerians, particularly those in the north, must be considered,” Shekarau said.
He pointed out specific sections of the tax proposals, including provisions on inheritance laws and tax exemptions, which he argued might conflict with religious and cultural practices in northern Nigeria.
The LND’s technical committee, led by Bala Ibn Na’Allah, highlighted other concerns related to the informal sector, tax compliance, and the redistribution of resources, suggesting amendments to ensure the reform aligns with the unique economic context of Nigeria’s diverse regions.
Adding fuel to the fire, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has criticised northern governors for their rejection of the tax reform bills.
Speaking at a town hall meeting for Christian leaders in northern Nigeria, Dogara lambasted the governors for their failure to effectively manage resources, despite the region’s substantial federal allocations.
“The problem is not the tax reform bills; it is the poor management of resources by our leaders,” Dogara remarked. He pointed out that, despite having held key positions in the federal government for decades, northern Nigeria continues to lag behind in terms of development.
“With the leadership roles we have had over the years, we should not be this backward,” Dogara continued. “The issue is not about federal allocations or appointments; it is about how our resources have been mismanaged.”
Dogara stressed that the region’s underdevelopment cannot be blamed on external factors or the tax reform bills. Instead, he urged northern leaders to take responsibility for their failure to harness the resources available to them for the region’s development.