ACF, NEF, AYCF Outline Conditions For Supporting Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), and Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have expressed their demand for greater accountability, transparency, expanded consultations, and trust-building measures before they can support the fiscal reforms.

The proposed laws, including the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, are aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s tax system. Despite passing the Second Reading in the Senate, the bills have faced considerable resistance, particularly from the North.

Dr. Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, spokesman for the NEF, emphasized that resolving the controversy surrounding President Tinubu’s tax reform bills is possible, but only through genuine negotiations. He stated that achieving peace requires inclusivity, transparency, and addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by Northern Nigeria.

“The core opposition stems from concerns about the reforms’ impact on the already fragile economic conditions of the North, which struggles with poverty, unemployment, and limited access to education and healthcare,” Dr. Suleiman noted. He added that many fear the proposed tax increases could disproportionately burden the most vulnerable groups, worsening inequalities and fueling social unrest.

The lack of transparency in the initial presentation of the bills, coupled with inadequate consultation with regional stakeholders, has further exacerbated these concerns. This has led to a perception that the reforms are being imposed rather than negotiated, feeding into existing anxieties about marginalization.

The first condition for successful negotiation, according to Dr. Suleiman, is inclusivity. He stressed that the dialogue should involve all segments of Northern society—from farmers and traders to professionals and religious leaders. Their diverse concerns must be incorporated into the process.

Additionally, any meaningful negotiation must be based on transparency and accountability. The government needs to provide clear explanations about the rationale behind the tax reforms, detailing how the generated revenue will benefit the North specifically, particularly in improving healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Dr. Suleiman also highlighted the importance of addressing the historical inequalities that have hindered the North’s development. These include limited access to credit, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of investment in human capital. He stressed that addressing these issues is essential for building a sustainable and equitable future for the region.

The President of AYCF, Yerima Shettima, echoed these concerns, lamenting that Northern representatives were not adequately consulted during the formulation of the bills. He called for a more participatory approach to ensure that the specific needs and concerns of the North are addressed before the reforms are implemented.

“We believe the Northern region, despite contributing significantly to the national GDP through sectors like agriculture, receives less in terms of public services and infrastructure. Introducing new taxes without addressing this imbalance is viewed with skepticism,” Shettima said. He also raised concerns about the informal sector, which dominates the Northern economy, and the potential negative impact of the tax reforms on small businesses and job opportunities.

Concerns over corruption and the lack of accountability in government spending have also contributed to the opposition. Shettima stressed that without robust guarantees of transparency and equitable resource distribution, the reforms could worsen existing frustrations.

The National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Prof. Tukur Muhammad Baba, indicated that while the organization has not yet made a public statement on the tax reforms, it appears that the Federal Government is open to dialogue on the contentious aspects of the proposed bills. He called for honest and sincere negotiations for the good of the nation, urging all parties involved to engage in meaningful discussions.