Virulent resentment to the tax reform bills forwarded to the national assembly by President Bola Tinubu has forced the national assembly to stay action on further legislative deliberation on them (bills).
The bills include ‘A Bill for an Act to Establish the Joint Revenue Board, the Tax Appeal Tribunal, and the Office of the Tax Ombudsman,’ aimed at harmonising, coordinating, and set A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, No. 13, 2007, and enact the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act,’ which seeks to establish the Nigeria Revenue Service with responsibilities for revenue assessment, collection, and accounting; ‘A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Assessment, Collection, and Accounting for Revenue,’ focused on revenue accrual to the federation, federal, state, and local governments while prescribing the powers of tax authorities; and ‘A Bill for an Act to Repeal Certain Acts on Taxation and Consolidate Legal Frameworks on Taxation,’ which aims to enact the Nigeria Tax Act to tax income, transactions, and instruments.
Opposition to bills in the senate is spearheaded the representative of Borno South senatorial district, Mr Ali Ndume.
Governors Babagana Zulum of Borno State, and Sule Abdullahi of Nasarawa, and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) also lead the agitation against the bills, describing them as “anti-democratic.”
Announcing the suspension of further legislative action on the proposed legislations at the plenary yesterday, the deputy senate president, Mr Jibrin Barau said the senate committee on finance had been directed to halt public hearings and deliberations on the bills until all stakeholders’ concerns are addressed.
“We have decided to set aside politics, ethnicity, and regionalism to resolve the issues surrounding the tax reform bills.
“In collaboration with the executive, we will establish a forum to identify and address contentious areas to ensure national unity,” he said.
He raised a 10-man committee to meet with a delegation of the federal government today (Thursday) to resolve the concerns raised on the tax reform bills currently being reviewed by the National Assembly.
Jibrin said the meeting will be held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, and that the lawmakers must have extensive interaction with the government before deciding whether to pass the bills or not.
He said the senate minority leader, Mr Abba Moro PDP, Benue South), will lead the senators to the meeting.
Other senators who will attend the meeting are Tahir Monguno, the senate chief whip; Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central), Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), Titus Zam (APC, Benue), Abdullahi Yahaya (Kebbi North), Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West), Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) and Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East).
“On the tax reform bills currently before us, we acknowledge that the Senate remains the highest legislative assembly in this country.
“The senate comprises men and women of wisdom and experience, entrusted to legislate for the peace, stability, and development of the nation.
“The senate like similar bodies globally, serves as a stabilising force in times of difficulty or disagreement. Through dialogue and consensus, the Senate has consistently provided solutions to national challenges since 1999.
“In this regard, we have decided to set aside politics, ethnicity, and regionalism to work together on resolving the issues surrounding the tax reform bills.
“In collaboration with the executive arm of government, we agreed to establish a forum to identify and address contentious areas to ensure national unity and progress.
“Before the introduction of these bills, we faced numerous challenges, including insecurity and economic issues.
“The President has been working to address these problems, and we are committed to supporting these efforts while tackling global economic challenges. “We also agreed that no other issues should aggravate the country’s current difficulties.
“It has been mutually decided between the executive and the Senate to engage the Judiciary to sort out these matters.
“The Attorney General of the Federation will be involved in discussions to identify and resolve areas of disagreement for the nation’s benefit.
“Tomorrow (today), the committee established by the Senate, along with its leadership, will meet with the Attorney General to address these issues.
“Consequently, the Senate committee on finance has been directed to pause further actions on public hearings and other matters related to the tax reform bills until the issues are resolved,” Barau said.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) in a statement by its spokesman, Mr Obiora Ifoh, commended the lawmakers for the decision.
He said democracy is all about consultations, discussions and listening to the needs of the electorate.
‘’There’s nothing wrong with legislators taking a step back to consult more before passing a piece of legislation into law.
“Following the interest generated by the proposed law, the concerns raised by the National Economic Council and other stakeholders, including the Nigeria Governors Forum, it is wise to carry out a comprehensive consultation and public enlightenment on such matters before further action,” he said.
Also reacting, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) commended the senate for stepping down further legislative work on the tax bills.
Its national secretary, Mr Peter Ameh said in a statement that the senate’s decision to suspend further legislative action on the tax reform bills is a welcome development that embodies the spirit of democratic governance.
He said the decision will provide an opportunity for stakeholders, including citizens, experts, and interest groups, to contribute to the policy-making process.
“This move allows for further consultations, which is a normal legislative procedure aimed at gathering diverse views and incorporating them into the tax reform legislation.
“By suspending the bills, the senate demonstrates its commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.
“It also enables the senate to reassess the bills’ potential impact on various sectors and regions, ensuring that the final product is equitable and beneficial to all.
“The Tax Reform Bills have sparked intense debate, with some arguing that they would disproportionately affect certain regions or socioeconomic groups. The Senate’s decision to suspend the bills acknowledges these concerns and shows a willingness to engage with critics and skeptics.
“In a democratic system, legislation should be a deliberative and iterative process. The senate’s move to suspend the Tax Reform Bills is a testament to this principle. It allows for a more comprehensive and nuanced consideration of the bills, ultimately leading to better policy-making.
“The senate’s decision to suspend further legislative action on the Tax Reform Bills is a positive development that underscores the importance of consultation, inclusivity, and deliberation in the policy-making process,” Ameh said.
