The deputy spokesman for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said that some state governors are threatening to deny federal lawmakers return tickets in 2027 if they don’t withdraw their support for President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills.
Recall that in September the President had submitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration, following the recommendations of the Oyedele-led tax reforms committee.
The bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.
Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.
The 36 state governors have, however, demanded the withdrawal of the executive bills, citing the need for more consultation and public input.
Agbese, while speaking in an interview with Punch, disclosed that the lawmakers will today (Monday) engage the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, and other renowned tax experts on the bills.
Speaking further, he said that some governors are holding meetings ahead of the National Assembly resumption to consider the tax bills and other important legislations.
According to him, “Some of these governors are threatening members from their states. They have even gone far to threaten that they would deny members return tickets in 2027 if they support the bills.”
The threats notwithstanding, the Benue lawmaker said nothing would make him and his colleagues change course, provided the bills are targeted at revamping the economy.
He continued, “As far as we are concerned in the House of Representatives, nobody can stop us from supporting President Bola Tinubu’s bid to reboot the economy to work for the country.
“We are united across party lines to make sure the country works. This is the disposition of Speaker, Tajudeen Abass.”
While noting that lawmakers in the past could indeed be cajoled to give up their principles, the legislator reminded the governors that the 10th Assembly congressmen are a different breed of Nigerians.
He said, “The difference between the new crop of politicians in the House of Representatives is that we are intellectually sound, progressive-minded and pro-Nigeria.
“We were not elected by the governors but our constituents and as far as the legislation (bills) will work for those that elected us, we will support them unequivocally, wholeheartedly and powerfully to see the light of the day.”