Why Tinubu’s Tax Reform Received Public Anger?, by Abba Dukawa

I am using this medium with hope this  open latter will reach all Northern Nigerian Senators, members of House of Representatives and other mind alike lawmakers from other part of the country hands to do the needful before passing it.  

The bills are the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024 -SB.583; the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024- SB.584; the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024-SB.585; and the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024 – SB.586. The bills have been criticised by  Nigerians, for  favour some parts of the country against other parts. 

A part of Third Term Bill presented to National Assembly during Obasanjo regime which was defeated  after intensive debate in the both chambers there was no other bill  that has been criticising like this current bill.  Nigerians are united especially people of the northern part of the country  calling  for a fiscal system that will promotes justice, fairness, and equity.  However, proponents have said that the majority of those criticising the bills have not read bill provisions and are only amplifying falsehoods circulated by uninformed interest groups. Why the bill received public anger?  People seem the bill will only exacerbate the uneven development of the federating units by enhancing the status of a few states while unduly penalising others.

Reason for public anger against the bill. Nigerians  currently experiencing worst economic crisis in a generation, leading to widespread hardship and anger. It’s well known the administration has   implemented economic policies that  has triggered more economic hardship to millions citizens. In addition the administration Renewed Hope  turning into Renewed Frustration for citizens.

With current economic policies carrying on by the administration  million Household been dehumanised. In  fact  Life in Nigeria has became miserable for the larger population of Nigerians as the year 2023/2024, was  the hardest years Nigerians has ever undergone in recent years.

A fish in a sea doesn’t know the sun is hot this is exactly what happens to the lawmakers and maybe their are unaware of the larger reality and  the situation has become so dire that many are dying because of starvation. Like you all know fish in the pond  is oblivious to the heat of the sun.

The  lawmakers  are unaware of the “heat”. It’s heartbreaking to see people struggling to afford basic necessities some people even resorting to searching for food in garbage bins.

This is  a legislation piece presented before National Assembly that have faced stiff opposition from  all stakeholders. Despite  protests and rejections of the pieces of the legislation, the Senate passed the bills for second reading last Thursday notwithstanding  rowdiness at plenary. 

Even before the passed second reading,  National Economic Council (NEC)led by Vice President has expressed reservations over the Tax Reform Bill, Northern Governors, Traditional Rulers, and Northern Elders Forum have rejected the proposed bills.  Briefing State House Correspondents after the meeting, governors 

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said NEC observed that adequate consultations needed to be made to get the views of stakeholders including the state governors to ensure that the law is favourable to all Nigerians.

Northern governors forum  

rejects the proposed Tax Amendments and calls on members of the National Assembly to oppose any bill that could jeopardise the well-being of  people. The forum said for the avoidance of doubt, the Northern Governors’ Forum is not opposed to policies or programs aimed at fostering national growth and development. However, the forum calls for equity and fairness in implementing all national policies and programs to ensure that no geopolitical zone is short-changed or marginalised.  

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State Speaking on the development in an interview with BBC Hausa service, the governor expressed displeasure over how the bills enjoyed speedy and smooth passage to the current phase when other bills had spent several years to scale through.

He said, “We condemn these bills transmitted to the National Assembly. They will drag the north backward, and not only the north, South East, South West and some states in the South West such as Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, will have problems with these bills.

It is not opposition, this based on our understanding, is something that will destroy the north in its entirety. Therefore, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu  to review this decision. He secured 60% of his votes in the north. He should not listen to those telling him that northerners are not supporting him. 

Why the forwarded bill to National Assembly especially in the Senate received utmost attention in spite there are  many bills that are more important to citizens wellbeing more than Tax Reforms. Why the bills hurriedly passed second reading after many pundits have expressed worry that if the Bills are passed and signed into Law, it will add salt to the injury.    

What’s appalling is that Senators supporting the bill are disregarding the socio-economic struggles of their constituents, prioritizing instead their political ambitions and desire to curry favor of the presidency. Notwithstanding larger society dismayed that Senators are supporting a bill that ignores the socio-economic challenges confronting Nigerians.

It’s shocking that Senators are backing a bill that will  exacerbates the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, demonstrating a callous disregard for the welfare of their constituents and the nation as a whole.   The Senators’ support for the bill is a stark reminder of their disconnect from the socio-economic realities faced by their constituents, who are struggling to make ends meet amidst rising costs of living, insecurity, and lack of access to basic healthcare.

It’s unconscionable that Senators are backing a bill that will further exacerbate the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, when they should be working to address the pressing issues of poverty, insecurity, and inequality that are plaguing the nation.

Let you remember  that the purpose of your election was to fundamentally champion the course to address the development challenges facing your constituencies , through effective legislative engagement, rather than dedicating your energy to serve an anti-people agenda, which would further marginalized people, the constituency where you come from. It would be wiser and more beneficial for senators  to prioritize their focus towards championing the course of alleviating the pressing socio-economic challenges ravaging the people in the country.

 This tax reform, in its current form, threatens to exacerbate the burdens of businesses and families in  Nigeria—that are already struggling to survive due to  fuel subsidy removal, epileptic  power supply and unfriendly economic and financial policies which have been crippling the economy and growth of  Nigerians.

Let Northern Nigerian Senators, members of House of Representatives and other mind alike lawmakers from other part  to understand the deteriorating state of the economy and the entire country is gnashing it teeth that is what exactly is going on? a period of more belt-tightening for citizens whose waists are disappearing?  There is need for the two chamber of the national assembly organise public hearing on the bill.

Dukawa write in from Abuja can be reach at abbahydukawa@gmail.com