The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has clarified that it is incorrect to claim that the governors of the 36 states are opposed to the Tax Reform Bills.
He explained that their position is simply to seek clarification on certain aspects of the legislation.
During a Townhall on the Tax Reform Bills on Channels Television on Monday, the governor expressed support for the bills but emphasized the need for answers to some key questions.
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“The issue of increasing the VAT from 20 per cent to 60 per cent at the point of generation, and I am happy that Taiwo said it has now changed not just at the point of generation but also consumption, that is fine.
“Those were some of the issues mentioned by the governors. The governors said, you know what, why don’t you withdraw the bills, let us discuss it, let us understand it,” Governor Sule said.
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He stated that the Townhall meeting organized by Channels Television is part of the events that should have taken place before the bills were submitted to the National Assembly.
He argued that if the Taiwo Oyedele-led Tax Reform Committee had taken these steps and properly communicated the details, there would have been no need for calls to withdraw the bills, which is the point the governors were making.
In response, Oyedele expressed his gratitude to Governor Sule and the Governor’s Forum for their feedback, which he said he takes seriously. He explained that holding a series of meetings with the governors would have delayed the bills.
The Chair of the Tax Reform Committee noted that while the Committee made efforts to engage Nigerians about the bills, there was limited interest from the public.
However, he assured that the Committee is willing to revisit some of the processes and provide further explanations now that it seems there is greater public interest in the bills.
The proposed Tax Reform Bills have sparked significant controversy since their introduction in the National Assembly, with strong opposition, particularly from the northern part of the country.
In light of the controversy, the National Economic Council advised President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the bills for further consultations. However, the President refused, insisting that the bills should proceed through the appropriate legislative channels.
Last week, the bills passed their second reading in the Senate via voice votes.
The proposed legislation aims to harmonize, coordinate, and address disputes related to revenue administration in Nigeria.
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