Tinubu’s weird covenant with taxes — FEMI ADEOTI COLUMN

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His loud obsession for tax and taxation is unmatched. It’s deep-rooted, deep-seated. So also is his penchant, craving for tariffs, levies, charges, duties and their cousins: Rates, excises, bills, tolls, et al.
He’s unleashing his weird lust on us without pity. He puts all his heart into this eerie conviction. No looking back. And he won’t relent until he is finally done with us. Do you blame him?
Give it to President Bola Tinubu. He is in his best element. He didn’t pretend not to be Zacchaeus. That famed biblical tax collector. He showcases it with great infatuation.
In his body language, actions and inactions. He takes every inch after Zacchaeus. It’s like his role model. He strictly follows in his footsteps. He won’t contemplate a change of direction. Not in the farthest future.
He never concealed it. His intentions were unambiguous. He was clear in his mind. Just like his crystal ball. It failed him not. And he believed it wouldn’t now. Not at this critical time.
That is why he didn’t hide this from us. He was emphatic. He did warn us: If we allowed him to happen to us. He would tax us to the marrow.
Now. He’s redeeming his vow to his delight. By going for our jugular. For once, he was sincere with us. He swore to high heavens. Taxation is core to the success or otherwise of his government.
He meant business. He told us during electioneering. That he would increase our tax burden. Raise it uncontrollably. And take it above the rooftop. He vowed to tax and tax us all the way. He is ready to go the whole hog.
The distance scares him not. He will not back down. Neither will he back-pedal. Until there is nothing more to tax in our lives! Isn’t that deadly and cruel?
He didn’t care a hoot! He didn’t mince words. At his 11th Bola Tinubu Colloquium, he yelled at us: “If we reduce the purchasing power of the people, we can further slow down the economy.
“Let’s widen the tax net…Those who are not paying let it be inclusive…Let the net get bigger and we take in more taxes. That is what we must do in the country.”
That exactly is what Tinubu is doing. And with all the strength he can muster. His hailers got the message and feasted on it. They applauded him ceaselessly. But the wailers in us missed the point. We inadvertently allowed our wailings to overwhelm us.
We didn’t interrogate him. We slipped into deep slumber. We were so careless. That was too costly on our part. We left him to have the best of times. And he surely did.
This was not lost on him. With bated breath, he grabbed the space left unoccupied. Owned it. And ran with it. The result is unending T-Pain. Even his hailers can no longer comprehend it. What a perplexed irony!
Tinubu is forging ahead unperturbed. He will not rest or give up. He listens to no one; consults nobody. On tax and taxation, he’s potently heady.
He is hostile to contrary views. They don’t bother him anymore. No matter how superior they appear to be. He is raving and raging at equal deadly speed. He cares not who suffers or does not suffer.
He spares nobody. With disgust, Tinubu rubbishes his deputy, Kashim Shettima, governors, National Economic Council (NEC) and traditional rulers. In one fell swoop! Shettima chairs NEC. Their views don’t count.
His spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that. He confessed Tinubu “has received the NEC’s recommendation that the tax reform bills already sent to the National Assembly be withdrawn for further consultations.”
Tinubu disagreed vehemently: “While urging the NEC to allow the process to take its full course, President Tinubu welcomes further consultations and engagement with key stakeholders to address any reservations about the bills while the National Assembly considers them for passage.”
And to the North’s opposition, the explainer: “Proposed tax reform bills are not against the north; they will benefit all states. The bills will actually be advantageous to everyone.”
Onanuga would want us to see the positive side of the reforms. He struggled to paint a human face for the reforms. He was glowing in his attempt:
“These proposed laws will not increase the number of taxes currently in operation. Instead, they are designed to optimise and simplify existing tax frameworks.
“The tax rates or percentages will remain the same under these reforms, as they focus on ensuring a more equitable distribution of tax obligations without adding to the burden on Nigerians.
“The reforms will not lead to job loss. On the contrary, they are structured to stimulate new avenues for job creation by supporting a dynamic, growth-oriented economy.”
Brilliant submission is it! That’s where Onanuga wants us to focus our attention. He has very strong belief. The reforms will right the wrongs of the past.
Honest. We will be glad if it pans out so. But, this is too smooth to believe. Our policy implementation is the crux of the matter. His conviction looks attractive, but not convincing enough.
It wouldn’t have bothered any sane mind. But we have our great doubts. And we are entitled to hold such. If Tinubu must have his way. The reform must not be loosely implemented. Its many predecessors suffered that ill fate. The reforms should be closely monitored.
The four contentious tax bills: Nigeria Tax Bill; Nigeria Tax Administration Bill (NTAB); The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill and The Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, let us into the NEC’s inner mind: “NEC noted the need for sufficient alignment on the proposed reforms and recommended the withdrawal of the tax reform bills.
“We saw the gap and decided that there is a need for a wide consultation.”
Genuine concerns. But the Presidency detests objection. And it won’t tolerate any. Why? Our President is immune to misdeeds and missteps. He errs not, goofs not. His will must prevail all the time.
Shettima, governors, traditional rulers cannot be talking nonsense. Everybody can’t be wrong at the same time. And you can’t be right at all times.
It amazes and amuses. Why are you holding tenuously to limitless tariffs? Why deploy useful energy on taxation? Endless levies, multiple charges won’t take us anywhere.
They will rather cripple, strangulate us the more. This is happening already. Tinubu knows what to do. And how to effectively and efficiently do it. But deliberately elected to do otherwise.
He’s quite aware. The problem is not with us. But with our strong, wealthy army of tax evaders. They are in a very tiny minority. But they command massive influence. They are all over us. Constituting a nuisance to our fragile economy.
They are maiming and raping our dying economy. Looting our resources through tax evasion. Tinubu cannot deny this. He’s in the know, very much aware.
That’s where he should fix his gaze. That’s the place to focus. Tax evaders should be made to pay appropriate taxes. Defaulters should be visited with heavy sanctions. None should be spared. Use the proceeds to ease our pains.
You can’t continue to hike our burden. And expect us to clap for you. Simply because you mouth it that you feel our pain.
You beat a child. At the same time, you insist he mustn’t cry. Who does that? It never worked out that way. And it won’t now.
We will not take you seriously. That’s exactly what’s sadly playing out. Government is carrying heavy baggage. It’s battling huge trust deficit. Home and abroad. And it is mounting rapidly.
Tinubu can exploit the tax reforms to mend fences. He can positively turn them around. To our greatest advantage, favour and benefit. He can if he’s willing.
The absolute choice rests with him.