NSCIA Urges Dialogue On Tax Reform Bills

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has urged both the federal and state governments as well as the National Assembly and the political class to deflate the current tension in the country about tax reform bills before the National Assembly, saying what is urgently needed are trust-building, extensive consultation, and matured and genuine dialogue on the new tax bills.

The apex Islamic body gave the advice in a communique issued at the end of its 10th meeting of the Expanded General Purpose Committee (EGPC) held at the National Mosque in Abuja last Sunday.

The meeting, which was presided over by the president-general of NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, was attended by Muslim leaders across the country including the deputy president-general, NSCIA (South), Alh. Rasaki Oladejo; the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; secretary-general of NSCIA, Prof Is-haq Oloyede; ministers, representative of the national security adviser, Major General Samad Akosede, members of the National Assembly, heads of military and paramilitary agencies, senior government officials, captains of industries, business moguls, youth and women leaders and several others.

The council, according to the communique signed by Prof Salisu Shehu, deputy secretary-general, NSCIA, however commended the President Bola Tinubu-led government, traditional and religious leaders for the remarkable decrease in cases of communal clashes across the country, noting the feat would not have been achieved without their critical roles at various levels.

The NSCIA also lamented the suffering being experienced by Nigerians across the country due to harsh economic climate and wants government at all levels to address the concerns of the citizens by prioritising food security and education to safeguard the immediate and ultimate wellbeing of the citizens.

The council, while encouraging Muslims to get involved in harnessing economic opportunities that would boost their financial independence and explore innovative ways of empowering the youth across the country, resolved to educate the Muslim Ummah on the need to standardise the informal sector of the Nigerian economy such that the huge contributions of the informal sector to the economy would be appreciated and acknowledged in planning.

It however called for the revocation of the private airstrip license approved for a religious leader, describing it as an aberration of the highest order that could threaten the peace and security of the country.

It also decried the non-recognition of Muslim marriage certificates by certain authorities within and outside Nigeria thereby compelling Muslim couples to supplement valid Islamic marriage certificates with official marriage certificates some conditions of which are not in conformity with the Shariah. It therefore decided to renew efforts in addressing the unwarranted discrimination and reaffirmed its 1986 resolution that the only accredited agency for organising national musabaqah (national competition on Qur’anic recitation), on behalf of the Ummah of Nigeria, is the Centre for Islamic Studies, University of Sokoto (now Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto), saying no other person or group of persons is allowed to hijack the process or undermine the authority of the Centre on the issue of the musabaqah.

Meanwhile, the League of Northern Democrats (LND) has set up a committee to review the four Tax Reform Bills presented by President Tinubu.

The bills have caused controversy in the country with most people from the North insisting that it would impoverish the region.

But the League of Northern Democrats said, given the current concerns and controversies on the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly, it has inaugurated a distinguished Technical Committee tasked with reviewing the four tax reform bills clause-by-clause so as to reach an informed position on each clause therein.

Spokesman of the league, Dr Ladan Salihu, said the initiative underscores their commitment to ensuring that laws reflect the principles of justice, equity and prosperity for all Nigerians, with the sole intent of safeguarding the developmental interests of the masses.

“The committee, composed of dedicated Northern experts in law, public accounting, legislation and academia, has taken to itself one week to conclude a comprehensive review of the bills. Their mandate includes identifying provisions that may be injurious or inequitable, proposing necessary amendments, and ensuring that each clause of the bills upholds the constitutional, religious and cultural norms of our people, while promoting national unity and fairness.

“At the conclusion of its assignment, the committee will publicly present its findings in an electronic and tabular format, effectively communicating its recommendations to policymakers, legislators, the media and the Nigerian public.

“The LND assures the public of our confidence in the committee’s ability to produce thorough and well-reasoned recommendations. These will aim to maximize benefits for all Nigerians, ensuring that the tax reforms support sustainable development and equitable economic growth across the nation.

“We urge Nigerians to stay tuned for LND’s public presentation, which will provide clear insights into the bills and our proposed policy position.

“The League of Northern Democrats remains steadfast in our mission to advocate for policies that foster justice, prosperity and unity in Northern Nigeria and the country at large,” the statement added.