Deputy spokesman for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese (APC-Benue), says the parliament is committed to passing the tax reform bills initiated by President Bola Tinubu despite threats by the state governors.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, Mr Agbese said the lawmakers considered the four executive bills “catalysts for economic growth” and would support them despite the governors’ threats to hinder lawmakers’ return to the House in 2027.
The bills are Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.
The bills seek to provide a fiscal framework and clear and concise legal frameworks for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes in tax administration. They also aim to repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service while creating a tax tribunal and tax ombudsman.
The bills were transmitted to the National Assembly on September 3, following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, headed by Taiwo Oyedele, to review existing tax laws.
However, all 36 state governors have demanded the withdrawal of the proposed legislation, citing the need for more consultations and public input.
Mr Agbese said some governors had threatened to deny lawmakers’ return tickets in the 2027 elections if they continued to support the bills.
According to him, as far as the representatives are concerned, nobody can stop them from supporting any initiative targeted at rebooting the country’s economy.
The deputy spokesman said the lawmakers in the 10th Assembly would not be forced to take a position that was not in the best interest of their representatives.
“The difference between the new crops of politicians in the House of Representatives is that we are intellectually sound, progressively minded and pro-Nigeria.
“We are united across party lines to make sure the country works. This is the disposition of Speaker Tajudeen Abass.
“We were not elected by the governors but our constituents, and as far as the bills will work for those that elected us, we will support it unequivocally, wholeheartedly and powerfully to ensure that they see the light of the day,” he said.
Mr Agbese said the bills had been made available to every lawmaker to study, dissect and make input when they were debated.
“I see the 10th House passing the bills with some minor adjustments to polish them with a touch of patriotism and intellectualism.
“That is our usual trademark when you have a teacher leading a parliament anywhere in the world,” he stated.
(NAN)