The deputy spokesman for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, revealed that some state governors are threatening to withhold return tickets for federal lawmakers in the 2027 elections unless they retract their support for President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills currently under consideration in the National Assembly.
Agbese announced that the lawmakers will meet with C, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, along with other tax experts to discuss these bills.
This follows President Tinubu's submission of four tax reform bills to the National Assembly on September 3, 2024, based on recommendations from Oyedele's committee.
The proposed legislation includes the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which aims to establish a comprehensive fiscal framework for taxation; the Tax Administration Bill, designed to streamline legal frameworks for taxes and minimize disputes; the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which seeks to create a new revenue service by repealing the existing Federal Inland Revenue Service Act; and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, intended to set up a tax tribunal and an ombudsman.
Despite opposition from all 36 state governors who have called for the withdrawal of these executive bills due to concerns over insufficient consultation and public input, President Tinubu has maintained that amendments can be made during legislative debates.
In an interview in Abuja, Agbese stated that some governors are actively meeting in anticipation of the National Assembly's discussions on these tax reforms.
He emphasized that threats from governors would not deter lawmakers from supporting initiatives aimed at revitalizing the economy.
“As far as we are concerned in the House of Representatives, nobody can stop us from supporting President Bola Tinubu’s bid to reboot the economy,” Agbese asserted.
He also quoted scripture to reinforce his stance against intimidation.
