Defying The Tide: The Silent Voice Against The Status Quo

Defying The Tide: The Silent Voice Against The Status Quo

Lawmakers from Nigeria’s southern region have firmly opposed the calls to withdraw the controversial tax reform bills, asserting that the issues can be addressed through legislative discussions and public hearings. The tax reform bills, presented by the executive in October…Defying The Tide: The Silent Voice Against The Status Quo

2024, include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.

The bills have ignited fierce debates, especially among northern governors, who oppose certain provisions such as the derivation-based Value Added Tax (VAT) distribution model. However, southern lawmakers like Bamidele Salam from the South-West urge that the process should continue without halting the reforms.

Salam, in an interview with Sunday Punch, expressed his disapproval of calls to discard the bills, suggesting that it would be a mistake to reject them entirely. He stated, “We should not throw out the baby with the bath water. Any issues in the bills can be resolved during public hearings and legislative stages. We must not delay this reform, as we did with the Petroleum Industry Bill, losing precious opportunities.”

Another member of the House of Representatives, Oluwole Oke, reiterated that it is ultimately the responsibility of federal lawmakers, not external parties, to decide the future of the bills. He emphasized that in a democracy, the majority will have the final say, despite the concerns raised by the opposition.

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