No Need To Withdraw Tax Reform Bill,” Gov Sule Declares Amid Controversy

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has stated that the concerns raised by Northern Governors and traditional rulers regarding the Tax Reform Bill are being carefully addressed.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

On several occasions, Northern governors, legislators, and traditional leaders have called for the withdrawal of the tax reform bill from the National Assembly.

In an interview on Arise News on Monday, Governor Sule explained that a meeting in Kaduna, where the bill was opposed, was due to a document provided to northern stakeholders. He noted that the initial document, which suggested a 60% Value Added Tax (VAT), had caused the objections.

Governor Sule clarified that Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform, had already clarified the 60% VAT clause. He emphasized that the demand for the bill’s withdrawal might be unnecessary as all concerns from Nigerians are being addressed.

“During the Kaduna meeting, it was suggested that the 60% VAT would only apply at the revenue generation point. However, Mr. Oyedele clarified that the 60% would be shared between both the point of generation and the point of consumption,” he said.

He further explained that instead of withdrawing the bill, it could be amended to accommodate the concerns of Nigerians. “The bottom line is that the bill is being discussed, and areas are being amended. If concerns are addressed, there would be no need to withdraw the bill.”

Governor Sule also pointed out that many of the critics of the bill had not properly reviewed the document and were, in some cases, paid to criticize it. He mentioned that Northern stakeholders were satisfied that the VAT would not negatively impact the region.

“The debate has been taken over by people who lack understanding of VAT, making the conversation unproductive. Some critics are doing it for personal gain, but those of us involved in the discussion have achieved our goal,” Sule said.

He reiterated that President Bola Tinubu has committed to addressing concerns about the bill and that the initiators of the bill, including Taiwo Oyedele and Zach Adedeji, are open to reviewing the contentious sections.

“The President and the bill’s initiators are willing to sit down and review any concerns raised,” Sule added.