As the stalemate over the Tax Reform bills lingers, elder statesman and leader of the Niger Delta, Chief Edwin Clark, has called for a full and comprehensive constitutional review of Nigeria’s fiscal federalism.
Clark, in a statement on the debate surrounding the bills, said there was a need to develop a more transparent and equitable revenue sharing formula that caters to the needs of the economically advantaged states and contributions of high revenue generating states.
He also canvassed a political consensus building to foster dialogue among political stakeholders to ensure that tax reforms have broad-based support and are sustainable across political transitions.
The elder statesman lamented the inability of Nigeria’s fiscal policy to make much impact despite political debates over taxation before the country got independence.
He said “However, in all of these, tax was an issue at the time, as it was strongly resisted. For instance, the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929, was over taxation. In the Western Region also, there were all forms of taxes which were paid.
“It was at the backdrop of this that the Kuti matriarch, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, led Yoruba women to embark on a protest against forceful payments of taxes and levies, and this became a direct challenge to the person of the Alake of Egbaland, which led the authorities in Abeokuta to forbid women from carrying out demonstrations. By 1940, the colonial government passed the direct taxation order for the whole country.
“Unfortunately, after all these periods, we have still not gotten our fiscal policies right. And the simple answer is because of inconsideration of the plights of others. Knowing that we are peculiar in line with our differences, it will do us much good if we can manage our diversity,” he said.
Clark however urged Tinubu to put in place measures to ensure full and comprehensive constitutional review of the country’s fiscal federalism.
“This review should address amongst other things, the following: Equitable Revenue Sharing: Develop a more transparent and equitable revenue sharing formula that considers both the needs of the less economically advantaged states and contributions of high revenue generating states.
“In addition, there is need for political consensus building to foster dialogue among political stakeholders to ensure that tax reforms have broad-based support and are sustainable across political transitions.
If we must live together as one country, Restructuring is a sine qua non.
“Let us celebrate our successes (at the elections which have been upheld by the Supreme Court), with humility and justice. Let us allow democracy to shine all over the country and give Mr. President the support and loyalty his government deserves until 2027,” the Clark.
