Osamagbe Imadiyi
The contentious Tax Reform Bills before the National Assembly caused division among the federation’s states. Many people are completely opposed to it, while some are in favor of it, and some are kicking against certain parts of it. Several states stated that they are still reviewing the bills before making a decision.
The states’ division occurred as the Presidency refuted claims that the Tax Reform Bills would make Northern states poorer and Lagos or Rivers wealthier. Dr. Femi Egbesola, the president of ASBON, the Small Business Owners of Nigeria, supported the action, pointing out that it is good for small businesses.
The following states support the tax reform: Kogi, Benue, Delta, and Ekiti.
Among those opposed are Kano, Nasarawa, and Borno.
Anambra, the Plateau, and numerous South-South states stated that they are still reviewing the document.
Chief Edwin Clark, a South-South leader, has cautioned that the move will cause more issues for the nation if it is not handled correctly.
Orji Kalu, a senator from Abia North, expressed confidence that the proposed tax reform bills will pass into law despite opposition from some quarters and criticized the federal government for not including important stakeholders in the ongoing discussions with Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West).
In a statement, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Mr. Bayo Onanuga said the insinuation was careless and that the bills would not devastate the economy of any region of the nation, emphasizing that they would not impoverish the North.
“Since the public debate around the transformative tax bills before the National Assembly began in the last few weeks, various political actors and commentators have tried to obfuscate the facts, purposefully misinforming and misleading the public,” the statement said, expressing concern over differing interpretations by some political actors.
