The 36 Nigerian state governors, under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), are reportedly divided over the Tax Reform Bills forwarded to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu. The proposed reforms, including the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 and three other tax-related bills, have faced criticism from several quarters, including the Northern Governors’ Forum, which has called for their withdrawal for further consultation.
The National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, had earlier rejected the reforms, further illustrating the contentious nature of the bills. The disagreement was evident during a brief and tense NGF meeting on Wednesday night, which lasted just one hour. The governors left without issuing a communique or addressing journalists, signaling unresolved tensions.
Key divisions are reportedly along regional and party lines, with some governors towing their regional positions during discussions. The meeting was attended by 15 governors, mainly from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and a few from opposition parties, including Governors Alex Otti (Abia), Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau).
The Tax Reform Bills, introduced on October 3, 2024, include measures to streamline Nigeria’s tax system, reduce disputes, and establish new tax administration bodies. Despite their intention to modernize fiscal policies, the lack of consensus among the governors threatens to delay their passage.
ACF constitutes committee to study tax reform bills
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has formed a committee to examine the Tax Reform Bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu. According to a statement by ACF spokesperson Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the formation of this committee comes amid debates suggesting that insufficient consultations were held during the preparation of the bills.
Muhammad-Baba urged stakeholders to collaborate with the Senate committee tasked with reviewing the bills. He emphasized the importance of opposing views as valuable contributions to the policymaking process and called for respectful and constructive discussions about the proposed laws.
This move reflects ACF’s commitment to ensuring that the bills align with stakeholders’ interests and broader national priorities.
