Tax reform: Tinubu has agreed to amend controversial clauses, says Gov Sule

Tax reform: Tinubu has agreed to amend controversial clauses, says Gov Sule

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa on Wednesday said President Bola Tinubu has agreed to amend contentious clauses in the proposed tax reform bills before their passage by the National Assembly.

Newstrends reports that the four bills which were transmitted to both chambers of the legislature by the President in September had generated controversy following stiff opposition in some quarters.

The bills are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

The critics of the bills included the Northern Governors Forum, Traditional Rulers Council, National Economic Council, Northern Elders Forum, among others.

Despite the opposition, the four bills scaled second reading in the Senate.

But speaking during an interview on Channels TV current affairs Politics Today on Wednesday, Mr Sule said the issues have been resolved between the governors and Mr Tinubu.

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According to him, the President said all recommendations should be forwarded to the National Assembly.

Mr Sule said: “We have achieved our goal, that is the reason I talked differently today, because all we wanted to achieve has been achieved.

“We actually wanted the bill to be discussed further. We didn’t want this bill to be passed with all the content of what it is.

“Look at the way the house of representatives is handling it, I want to commend the house, particularly the speaker.

“I give credit to Mr. President; when the governors met with him, he told us that we don’t have to withdraw this bill [Tax Reform Bill].

“We can actually address all the concerns you have and all the amendments, and then we can pass the bill.

“For me, from that day, my issues with the bills have been resolved.

“What I didn’t want is a situation where we have bills with concern, especially for people like us, and then that bill is passed.

“But look at how the house of reps is handling, it has not even passed the second reading, they are taking inputs and making considerations from everybody.

“And this is a concurrent bill; it doesn’t matter if the Senate has passed the bill; if the House of Reps doesn’t pass it, it has no effect.”

Tax reform: Tinubu has agreed to amend controversial clauses, says Gov Sule