Taxes should be fair in Nigeria – Speaker Abbas 

The Speaker made this known in Abuja on Monday at “The People’s House Interactive Session on Tax Reform Bills,” organized by the House, according to a statement signed by Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives.

The session drew relevant stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele; the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Zach Adedeji; the Director-General of the Budget Office, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu, and others.

“However, as representatives of the people, we must approach these reforms thoughtfully, understanding their potential implications for every segment of society.  

“Taxes should be fair, transparent, and justifiable, balancing the need for public revenue with the burdens they impose on individuals and businesses,” the Speaker added. 

The Speaker stated: “Let me be clear: the House has not yet taken a definitive position on these bills. Our role is to scrutinize them thoroughly, ensuring they align with the best interests of our constituents and the nation at large. We owe this duty to Nigerians.

“Importantly, this session will help us identify areas needing amendment, clarification, or improvement and consider the compatibility of these bills with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and other extant laws.” 

Naijaonpoint previously reported that President Bola Tinubu had rejected the National Economic Council’s (NEC) proposal to withdraw the tax reform bill, insisting that the council follow the “legislative process.”

In a statement, Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said the president emphasized that any input from the council could be incorporated during the public hearing.

“President Tinubu commends the National Economic Council members, especially Vice President Kashim Shettima and the 36 State Governors, for their advice. 

“He believes that the legislative process, which has already begun, provides an opportunity for inputs and necessary changes without withdrawing the bills from the National Assembly.” 

Governors of the 19 Northern states, along with traditional rulers and stakeholders from the region, expressed opposition to the bill, particularly concerning the draft on the derivation-based model for Value Added Tax (VAT) distribution among the country’s federating units.