KEY POINTS
- Senator Aminu Tambuwal criticizes President Tinubu’s proposed tax reform.
- Tambuwal argues the timing is wrong due to Nigeria’s economic struggles.
- He calls for government focus on alleviating hardship, not increasing taxes.
Former Sokoto State Governor and current Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal, has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bill, calling its timing “inappropriate” given the economic challenges facing the country.
In a statement on Sunday while distributing relief materials to flood victims in Shagari and handing over starter packs to over 1,000 beneficiaries of a skills acquisition programme in his senatorial district, Tambuwal said the government should focus on easing the financial burdens of Nigerians before considering any tax hikes.
“I believe this is a wrong time for any upward review of either VAT or any form of tax; the time is inauspicious, the time is very wrong,” Tambuwal said.
“These are hard times for the people of Nigeria. What we require of the government is for it to focus on projects and programmes that will bring succor and relief to the people, not increase their hardship.”
He emphasized that Nigerians are already reeling from the effects of the devaluation of the naira and the removal of fuel subsidies, which have left many struggling to make ends meet. According to the most recent statistics from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, over 30 million Nigerians are currently living in abject poverty.
Senator urges government to address economic hardship first
Tambuwal stressed that, rather than raising taxes, the Nigerian government should focus on alleviating the widespread economic difficulties that citizens are facing.
According to Punch, the proposed tax reform, which includes potential increases in VAT and other forms of taxation, comes at a time when inflation is high, and unemployment rates are soaring.
“These are trying times,” he said. “We should focus on managing the hardship and see how we can bring our people out of hardship, not put more strain on their finances.”
In addition to his comments on the tax reform, Tambuwal took part in distributing aid to victims of flooding and other natural disasters in his constituency. Working with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), he provided essential supplies to over 1,000 households affected by the recent floods in Shagari.
Flood relief, skills training highlight Tambuwal’s local initiatives
Tambuwal also partnered with the National Directorate of Employment to provide skills training to over 1,000 youths in Bodinga, equipping them with the tools to improve their economic prospects.
This initiative aims to reduce unemployment and empower young people with relevant skills for the job market.
While many Nigerians are grappling with the economic fallout from recent policy changes, Tambuwal’s efforts to deliver relief materials and promote skill development are seen as crucial steps to address some of the immediate challenges facing his constituents.
