Tax Reform Bills: Opposition lawmaker, Abdulmumin Jibrin seeks understanding of Nigerians

As opposition continues to trail the tax reform bills forwarded to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a member representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, Abdulmumin Jibrin has appealed for understanding, saying the bill has no sentiments attached or is in any way against the interest of the North.

The lawmaker who is a member of the opposition New Nigeria Political Party, NNPP made the appeal while fielding questions from the National Assembly correspondents on Monday in Abuja,

He claimed he monitored a series of comments on national television and confirmed stiff opposition to passing the bills saying, “what is needed now is the understanding
all Nigerians on the content and intention of the bills”, which according to him, proposes reforms that will benefit the entire Nigerian society.

President Bola Tinubu had last month forwarded to both chambers of the National Assembly the “Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.”

In setting the process for expeditious consideration of the bills, the Senate through its Committee on Finance, had an Interactive session with the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Zacch Adedeji last month, for details on their objectives.

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But while both Chambers are getting prepared to consider and pass the bills on resumption from recess next week, some Nigerians, particularly from the North have expressed fear that the bill was against the interest of the zone.

However, apart from Senator Shehu Sani, who has been commending President Tinubu on the proposed tax reforms through the bills, Jibrin has also thrown his weight behind the proposals.

”The tax reform bills according to Jibrin are well envisioned by President Tinubu for the general interest of Nigerians and not in any way intended to introduce new taxes or put any part of the country at a disadvantage”, he said

“There’s a crisis of perception here. People hear ‘tax reform’ and immediately assume it will negatively impact them, without ever taking the time actually to review the details of the bill. Many of the critics haven’t even looked at the bill closely.

“President Tinubu is seen as a tax and revenue-focused person, and because of that, when you hear discussions about the bill, people jump to conclusions. I urge everyone, including lawmakers, the media, and the public, to engage with the actual content of the bill before making judgments.

“It’s easy to assume but if you look at the bill, you’ll see that it’s not about imposing new taxes on the common man. Instead, it addresses systemic issues and proposes reforms that benefit the broader society.

“The bills entail protective measures, or “buffers” designed to prevent any negative impact on Northern states.

“These buffers are important in safeguarding the interests of the Northern region. They ensure that, even as the tax system is reformed, the North will not face any adverse consequences.

“It’s important for us to understand that these measures are specifically aimed at protecting our region while we engage in this necessary reform.”