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President’s Controversial Tax Bills Split N’Assembly
Published
10 months agoon
By
Editor
Members of the National Assembly are currently divided over the controversial Tax Reform Bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
The President had, on September 3, transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration.
The reforms stemmed from the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms headed by Taiwo Oyedele, for the review of existing tax laws.
The bills are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.
Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.
At the heart of the debate is the proposed shift to a derivation-based model for Value Added Tax distribution, which would allocate tax revenue to the states where goods and services are consumed, rather than where companies have their headquarters.
The bills were rejected by the 19 northern governors and traditional rulers.
The governors, under the aegis of the Northern Governors’ Forum, rejected the new derivation-based model for VAT distribution, insisting that the contents of the bills did not align with the interests of the North and other subnational entities.
Similarly, the National Economic Council, headed by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, recommended the bills’ withdrawal to allow for wider consultations and consensus building.
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While the bills have not been presented for a second reading where the principles of the bills will be debated, some lawmakers have expressed divergent views.
Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) had in a television interview opposed the bills and vowed to mobilise other lawmakers from the north against them.
Speaking with The PUNCH, Senator Ogoshi Onawo of Nasarawa South Senatorial District kicked against the bills, saying it was unfair for the government to continue imposing taxes on Nigerians who were battling economic hardship.
He berated the Tinubu-led administration for being insensitive to the plights of Nigerians, insisting that the tax reforms would worsen the hardship in the country.
Onawo called on Tinubu to heed the advice of NEC and either withdraw the bills or rework them to capture the recommendations of Nigerians.
“I think the timing of the bills is not right because of the economic hardship being experienced by all Nigerian citizens. The bill is just to impose more hardship on Nigerians. Generally, all over the world, when tax is imposed on an economy, it is the consumers that bear the brunt.
“Tax generally is a good thing if the government is responsive enough to the yearnings of the people. There is no point for me paying tax when the roads are bad, and there are no basic social amenities, and if the government is not responsive enough to provide those things that I’m supposed to enjoy and I’m paying tax on, I think it is unfair for the government to be taxing people left, right and centre.
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“Every Nigerian is paying multiple taxes now on so many things, if those multiple taxes can be streamlined and made affordable for Nigerians to live a comfortable life, I don’t think tax is a bad idea, but when the government is collecting tax and the people are not seeing the effect of the tax, then I think it needs a rethink,” the lawmaker said.
A senator from the North-Central, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bills were still under consideration, but assured that Nigerians would have a say in their outcome.
The lawmaker said, “We will do justice to the bills; we will allow Nigerians to have a say and take part in the process and a true reflection on of our constituents that will prevail.”
However, lawmakers from the South-West dismissed fears over possible marginalisation of any region in the implementation of a new tax regime.
Defending the bills, a House of Representative member from the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Babajimi Benson, said a rejig of tax management strategies had become imperative because the old models did not yield much in recent years.
He said the bills reflected a pragmatic approach by the Tinubu government to address longstanding challenges in the tax administration.
According to him, not all the governors are opposed to the bills, adding that some merely asked for clarifications in the proposals by the President.
He pledged the readiness of the Green Chamber to thoroughly scrutinise the bills before passage.
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“This reform is designed to transform our tax system, providing exemptions to the most vulnerable businesses and individuals, eliminating the burden of multiple taxation, and enhancing the effective mobilisation and management of the nation’s revenue.
“Regarding the derivation policy, which mandates that a portion of revenue generated within a state is returned to that state, I believe that no state will be disadvantaged. Significant revenue streams come from various states across the federation, including Kano, Kaduna, Rivers, and Lagos.
“To ensure fairness, the proposed five per cent set aside by the Federal Government could be used as an equalisation transfer to prevent any state from receiving less revenue than it would have under the current distribution formula”, Benson said.
In his contribution, a federal lawmaker from Osun State, Oluwole Oke, said controversies trailing the bills were not unexpected, adding that the National Assembly would do its part and subject them to public inputs.
He reminded those opposing the bills not to forget that “tax bills/laws usually stem from tax design which is based on the peculiarities of a society and several other factors.”
“A bill is like raw gold at the goldsmith workshop. The governors are bound to have their opinions and positions perhaps based on well-researched positions.
“We will all meet at the public hearing and in the committee of the whole vis-a-vis voting and fortunately, it’s my area of specialisation,” he said.
When The PUNCH reached out to Oyedele and asked if there were plans to engage Nigerians and the governors on the bills, he said, “Yes, we plan for further engagements and some are ongoing.”
Meanwhile, debate on the bills is expected to dominate proceedings in both chambers of the National Assembly when it resumes from its one-week oversight recess on November 19.
PUNCH
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DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials
Published
14 hours agoon
August 24, 2025By
Editor
The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.
The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.
“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.
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Continuing, DSS said Ezenwa’s arrest underscores the Service’s determination to safeguard Nigerians from the fraudulent schemes of unpatriotic elements. “Citizens are therefore encouraged to remain vigilant, verify information from official sources and report suspicious recruitment adverts or individuals attempting to extort money under false pretense.”
The agency assured that it will continue to protect the integrity of its recruitment process while ensuring that perpetrators of fraud face the full weight of the law.
News
‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu
Published
14 hours agoon
August 24, 2025By
Editor
Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.
In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”
READ ALSO:Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu
Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.
“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.
News
Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu
Published
14 hours agoon
August 24, 2025By
Editor
Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.
In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.
“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!
“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.
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The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.
“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.
“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.
“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.
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Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.
“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.
“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.
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