Tax Reform Bills Fall Short Of Expectations; Governors Must Do More – Ndume Speaks Out

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South in the National Assembly, has emphasized the need for further consultations on the Tax Reform Bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

He cautioned against rushing the legislative process, stating that the opportunity to address and correct errors in the bills is now available.

Ndume made this assertion during an interview with the BBC Hausa service while commenting on the recent decision by state governors regarding the tax reform bills.

It is worth noting that after weeks of resistance, the 36 state governors, under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), have reversed their stance and declared support for the proposed tax reform bills under consideration by the National Assembly. They also advocated for an “equitable” Value-Added Tax (VAT) sharing formula to ensure fair resource allocation among states.

While Ndume welcomed the governors’ change of position, he insisted that their endorsement alone is insufficient, as critical aspects of the bills still require clarity. He stressed the importance of broader consultations to ensure a thorough understanding of the proposed reforms and expressed confidence that legislators and the public would work to rectify any deficiencies before the bills are passed.

“The governors’ decision is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough because we still lack a full understanding of the bills,” Ndume stated.

He added, “Transparency is essential. The process must not be hurried to avoid mistakes. Unlike before, the opportunity to address these issues is now open. It is now up to legislators and the public to ensure these bills are properly reviewed and corrected.”