NEC urges Tinubu to withdraw Tax Reforms Bills from NASS

The National Economic Council (NEC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the Tax Reforms Bills from the National Assembly to guarantee wider consultations and consensus building.

According to the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, the call was a part of resolutions reached at the 144th NEC meeting at the State House, Abuja on Thursday.

Makinde who briefed newsmen, said that the council members resolved that it was imperative to allow for consensus building and understanding of the bills among Nigerians.

“NEC noted the need for sufficient alignment on the proposed reforms and recommended the withdrawal of the tax reform bills,” the governor said.

According to him, the decision was taken in the interest of the country.

Makinde who stressed the need for further consultations on the bills, also noted: “We saw the gap and decided that there is a need for a wider consultation.”

The Federal Government says the new laws are meant to enhance efficiency and eliminate redundancies across the nation’s tax operations.

The reforms emerged after a review of existing tax laws since August 2023. The National Assembly is considering four executive bills containing these tax reform efforts.

NEC’s decision came days after the Northern Governors kicked against the reform bills.

At a meeting on October 28, 2024, governors of the 19 northern states, under the platform of the Northern Governors’ Forum, rejected the new derivation-based model for Value-Added Tax distribution in the new tax reform bills before the National Assembly.

A communiqué read by the Chairman of the forum, Governor Muhammed Yahaya of Gombe State, said the proposition negated the interest of the North and other sub-nationals.

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