KEY POINTS
- ‘Tinubu’s tax reform bills are dead on arrival,’ Senator Ndume says, on the basis of public rejection.
- Ndume is urging the President to withdraw the VAT bill due to embattled economy.
- Lawmakers, state governors and traditional rulers all oppose the tax reform.
President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills are ‘dead on arrival’ as Nigerians kick against it, Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South in the National Assembly.
Ndume spoke on *Politics Today* on Channels Television, saying that the public sentiment was against any new taxes in the midst of the economic challenges.
Opposition to VAT, other tax bills very strong
Ndume, however, was among lawmakers also rallying against an insurance bill and the proposed tax reforms, especially the Value Added Tax (VAT) bill. But he contended Nigerians aren’t open to discussing an increase in taxes, especially when so many are already fighting for economic survival.
“The thing is that let people make a living first before you want to ask them for taxes,” he insisted, echoing the prevailing mood in the country.
He also stated that both the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Northern Governors’ Forum have counseled President Tinubu to withdraw the bills.
Ndume advised the President to listen to this sound advice and ends up saying that our people don’t want the VAT bill, they don’t even want to hear it.
Citizens council calls for tax education and reform in government
He also said Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) should concentrate on reforming itself instead of increasing the tax burden of citizens.
Tinubu was asked to drag down the bills and teach Nigerians about the proposed reforms first, he said, ‘the best thing to do was to withdraw it right away’.
According to Vanguard, Governors, traditional rulers and lawmakers are against the bills, but President Tinubu says he’s not going to pull them back, though he’s open to hearing inputs from the National Assembly.
