Sources Reveal How Tinubu, Governors Struck Deal On Tax Bills Despite Pushback From Some Northerners

Multiple sources have revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the 36 state governors of the federation finally reached a consensus on the controversial tax reform bills during their New Year visit to his house in Lagos State.

Naijaonpoint reported that the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that most state governors have been enlightened on the benefits of the Tax Reform Bills proposed by President Tinubu.

According to him, the Governors now understand the benefits of the bills.

He also submitted that the bills will increase revenue across the federal, states and local governments.

Less than 24 hours after the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) issued a communiqué regarding the decision to back the tax bill, President Tinubu commended the governors in a statement, saying it was clear that they meant well for Nigeria.

However, a source close to a governor who was privy to how the governors and Tinubu agreed to move on with the bills told Daily Trust that the deal was sealed in Lagos.

The source said, “The deal was perfected when the governors paid a New Year visit to Tinubu in his house in Lagos.”

“The president told them that he meant well, and he wanted them to give him the benefit of doubt.” 

Another source corroborated, saying the governors while agreeing to endorse the tax reform bills, nonetheless asked the president to make some concessions.

The source added that the governors agreed to return to Abuja and meet with the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform.

“There was little pushback from some northern governors who said they must have something tangible to give their people.

“The governors said the general sentiment in the region was that all the bills were targeted at pauperising the region.”