Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, stated on Sunday that the 36 state governors have called for broader consultations on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills to ensure that the entire nation is adequately considered, given the significant implications of the reforms.
Makinde further clarified that he was not against the tax reforms but was merely presenting the concerns raised by the governors to the media.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde provided this clarification during a media interview on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State on Saturday.
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On October 3, 2024, President Tinubu submitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly: the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.
These bills have sparked debate, with many stakeholders expressing opposition to certain sections proposed by the government.
Makinde, who had previously briefed the media on the position of the National Economic Council (NEC) regarding the bills, explained that the NEC had unanimously agreed that the bills should be withdrawn from the National Assembly for further consultations.
“At the NEC meeting, we asked the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force about the status of the bills, and he confirmed they were already at the National Assembly,” Makinde said. “I asked, ‘If that’s the case, why are you just coming to us for approval?’ It amounted to putting the cart before the horse.”
He continued: “We agreed that the bills should be withdrawn, enabling broader consultations with stakeholders. This could lead to alignment, whether in their original form or with necessary adjustments based on stakeholder feedback.”
Addressing criticisms that he was opposed to the reforms, Makinde stated: “I was asked to explain our decision to withdraw the bills for consultation, but some people chose to focus on the messenger rather than the message.”
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