Northern Elders sends disturbing message to Tinubu

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The proposed Tax Reform Bills that are presently before Nigeria’s National Assembly have been strongly opposed by the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), which has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government of disregarding patriotic dissent against the reforms.

A.M. Al-Amin Daggash, the head of the forum, released a statement in which the NEF requested the government to halt the proposed reforms and begin more extensive stakeholder engagements. The forum contended that the proposed reforms might be unjust and harmful to the country’s economic health.

Daggash called for a reform of the implementation plan that takes into account the concerns of different groups, underscoring the importance of an inclusive approach to policy-making. “The government must adopt a careful and inclusive approach to ensure the reforms are beneficial for all,” he stated.

Additionally, the forum expressed disapproval of the proposed VAT revenue-sharing system, describing it as unfair to the states that produce the majority of VAT revenue. Daggash maintained that in order to guarantee that the states that contribute the most to VAT collection receive an equitable portion of the money, the distribution of VAT should be based on consumption rather than arbitrary allocations.

Daggash further charged that the Tinubu administration utilised forceful methods to push its ideas while ignoring dissenting opinions. He said. “The government has displayed a troubling disregard for patriotic voices and has shown an inclination to suppress opposition.”

The NEF stated that it supports tax reforms that follow international best practices, but it also underlined that the proposed legislation is not transparent or inclusive enough to guarantee successful policy outcomes. The forum demanded that the federal government change the Tax Reform Bills to better reflect the interests and contributions of all Nigerians.

The NEF’s stance emphasises persistent worries over the economic effects and equity of the suggested changes, highlighting the necessity of a more transparent and consultative procedure for forming national policies.

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