Tax Bills: We’re With Tinubu, Not Govs — Reps Deputy Spokesperson

The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has said that members of the Green Chamber will support President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills at the expense of siding with their state governors, some whom wanted the proposed legislations withdrawn.

Agbese, in an interview with journalists in Abuja, said lawmakers consider the Bills as catalyst to the growth of the economy and as such, they were ready to throw their weight behind the four executive Bills before the Senate.

The Benue lawmaker noted that some state governors were threatening to deny lawmakers from their states return tickets in the 2027 elections if they continue to show support for the Bills.

President Tinubu had transmitted four tax bills to the National Assembly for consideration, following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms headed by Taiwo Oyedele for the review of existing tax laws.

They include 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.

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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.

Agbese said: “As far as we are concerned in the House of Representatives, nobody can stop us from supporting President Bola Tinubu from rebooting the economy to work for the country. We are united across party lines to make sure the country works. This is the disposition of Speaker Tajudeen Abass.

“Some of these governors are threatening members from their states. They have even gone far to threaten that they would deny members a return ticket in 2027 if they support the bills.

“Behold, they shall surely gather, but not by me. Whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. The difference between the new crops of politicians in the House of Representatives is that we are intellectually sound, progressively-minded and pro-Nigeria.

“We were not elected by the governors but our constituents and as far as the legislation (bills) will work for those that elected us, we will support it unequivocally, wholeheartedly and powerfully to see the light of the day.

“We have made the bills available to every lawmaker to study, dissect and make inputs when we bring them up for debate,” he stated, adding that the proposed legislation is likely to scale through but with some amendments where necessary.

“I see the 10th House passing the bills with some minor adjustments to polish it with a touch of patriotism and intellectualism. That’s our usual trademark when you have a teacher leading a parliament anywhere in the world.”