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TAX REFORM BILLS: GOVS THREATENING TO DENY US RETURN TICKETS – REPS DEPUTY SPOKESMAN
The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has disclosed the readiness of the lawmakers to support President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills despite opposition from State Governors.
According to Agbese, some of the Governors have threatened to deny lawmakers from their states the 2027 return ticket if they throw their weight behind the tax bill.
He, however, said they are not bothered by such threats as they were elected to represent the people of their constituents and not to dance to the tune of the Governors.
On why the lawmakers have chosen to support President Tinubu, Agbese disclosed their belief that the bill is for the good of the people.
President Tinubu had in September, forwarded four executive bills on tax reforms to the National Assembly for consideration. However, the Governors, through the National Economic Council (NEC), called for the withdrawal of the bills for more consideration and input.
The President, however, refused to withdraw the bills, stating that inputs could still be made while the bills remain before the lawmakers.
The bills forwarded based on the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms headed by Taiwo Oyedele are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.
Agbese disclosed that despite the opposition from the Governors, the lawmakers are ready to support President Tinubu in actualizing the bills.
He said, “As far as we are concerned in the House of Representatives, nobody can stop us from supporting President Bola Tinubu from rebooting the economy to work for the country.
“We are united across party lines to make sure the country works. This is the disposition of Speaker Tajudeen Abass.”
“Some of these governors are threatening members from their states. They have even gone far to threaten that they would deny members a return ticket in 2027 if they support the bills.”
Going scriptural, Agbese quoted Isaiah 54:15, saying, “Behold, they shall surely gather, but not by me. Whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.”
He emphasized that the loyalty of the lawmakers in the 10th Assembly is to their constituent members.
“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 were not elected by the governors but our constituents, and as far as the legislation (bills) will work for those that elected us, we will support it unequivocally, wholeheartedly, and powerfully to see the light of the day.”
The lawmaker added that copies of the bills have been made available to legislators to aid their understanding ahead of the second reading, predicting that it would be passed with necessary amendments.
“We have made the bills available to every lawmaker to study, dissect, and make inputs when we bring them up for debate,” he stated, adding that the proposed legislation is likely to scale through but with some amendments where necessary.
“I see the 10th House passing the bills with some minor adjustments to polish it with a touch of patriotism and intellectualism.
“That’s our usual trademark when you have a teacher leading a parliament anywhere in the world,” he added.
