DRAMA Rocks Nigerian Governors Forum As Meeting Over Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill Ends In DEADLOCK
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) is experiencing significant divisions among its 36 members over President Bola Tinubu’ s controversial tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.
The bills, which include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, have drawn widespread criticism and opposition, particularly from the northern governors.
Tensions came to a head during a late- night meeting of the NGF on Wednesday at its Abuja Secretariat.
The session, which lasted just an hour, ended without the usual press briefing or a communiqué, highlighting the discord among the governors.
Regional affiliations and alliances were apparent, with some governors leaving in groups based on their geographical zones.
The 19 governors from northern Nigeria have strongly opposed the key provisions of the bills, advocating for their withdrawal to allow for broader consultations.
Their resistance is tied to fears that the proposed laws may disproportionately impact their states and exacerbate regional disparities.
The National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima and including all governors, had previously voiced opposition to the bills.
The contentious meeting saw a staggered attendance, with governors arriving at different times.
Senator Hope Uzodinma, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, arrived with some of his All Progressives Congress (APC) colleagues following discussions with President Tinubu and APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje at the Presidential Villa.
The reform bills, submitted to the National Assembly on October 3, 2024, were drafted based on recommendations from the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, chaired by Taiwo Oyedele.
Key provisions aim to modernize Nigeria’ s tax framework by simplifying tax administration, introducing a new Nigeria Revenue Service to replace the Federal Inland Revenue Service, and establishing a Joint Revenue Board for dispute resolution.
While the Tinubu administration touts these reforms as essential for bolstering revenue and promoting economic growth, the resistance from governors underscores significant hurdles.
The lack of consensus within the NGF and opposition from other stakeholders suggest that the bills face a challenging path toward approval.
