Rita Odafe
Ali Ndume
Ali Ndume, the senator for Borno South, has voiced his opposition to the tax reform bills being considered by the National Assembly.
He expressed concern over the swift manner in which these bills are being pushed through by the Presidency and some members of the legislature.
Ndume characterized the urgency to pass the legislation as questionable and advocated for a more thorough review process.
The bills, which President Bola Tinubu submitted to the National Assembly on October 3, were advanced to a second reading in the Senate on November 28. The proposed laws aim to create a Joint Revenue Board, a Tax Appeal Tribunal, and an Office of the Tax Ombud, with the intention of improving Nigeria’s tax collection system.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ndume urged the government to take the National Economic Council’s advice and withdraw the bills for further discussion.
“I’m not suggesting we discard everything, but with input from governors, the NEC, and others urging for withdrawal and more dialogue, I question why the rush. This raises suspicions,” Ndume stated.
He likened the situation to the lengthy process of passing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), highlighting that it took years of deliberation and was first introduced while he was still in the House of Representatives, only to be finalized after he had moved to the Senate.
Furthermore, he criticized the timing of these tax reforms, arguing that proposing such measures during tough economic times for Nigerians is ill-conceived.
“I find the timing inappropriate as many Nigerians are struggling. Taxes have always been part of our society, especially in the North, but this is not the right moment,” he remarked.
Ndume suggested that these bills should only be considered when citizens are in a stable financial position, as opposed to merely surviving day-to-day. He compared the reforms to “offering relief with one hand while taking it away with the other.”
He dismissed the idea that his opposition stems from a desire to undermine President Tinubu, asserting instead that his aim is to protect the administration from failures.
Regardless of Ndume’s reservations, the Senate proceeded to approve the bills for further debate through a voice vote on Thursday.
This legislation is part of President Tinubu’s broader initiative to reform the tax system, which seeks to “streamline revenue collection processes and address taxation conflicts in the nation.”
