Just in: Senate sacks Chief Whip Monguno

The Senate has announced the removal of a senator from the 10-man committee established to interface with the Presidency on the Tax Reform Bills.

Sen. Mohammed Tahir Monguno, the Chief Whip and APC, Borno North, was removed from the committee on Thursday at plenary, Persecondnews reports.

His removal came barely 24 hours after the committee’s formation.

This decision came after the Senate Leader, Sen. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), replaced him with Sen. Shehu Kaka (APC, Borno Central).

The committee, still led by Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), retains its original members, including Sen. Adamu Ailero (PDP, Kebbi Central), Sen. Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North), Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), Sen. Titus Zam (APC, Benue South), Sen. Abdullahi Yahaya (PDP, Kebbi North), Sen. Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West), Sen. Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), and Sen. Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East).

The tax reform bills have faced opposition in the National Assembly.

Persecondnews recalls that President Bola Tinubu submitted the bills to the National Assembly on September 3, 2024, for review and consideration.

The bills were a fallout from the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms’ recommendations, led by Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, which aimed to overhaul the existing old tax laws in the country.

The bills, which aim to reform Nigeria’s tax administration, have been met with controversy, particularly regarding the revenue-sharing formula and the timing of the reforms.

Also, the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, recommended on October 31 that President Tinubu withdraw the tax reform bills from the National Assembly to allow for more comprehensive discussions and consultations.

President Tinubu responded to the request by saying the tax reform bills should undergo the normal legislative process, allowing for public input, debates, and revisions before a final decision is made.

On October 29, 19 Northern state governors strongly opposed the Tax Reform Bill, specifically rejecting the proposed shift to a derivation-based model for Value Added Tax (VAT) distribution, arguing it would unfairly disadvantage Northern states and other less industrialized regions.

Also, some senators, like Sen. Ali Ndume, expressed concerns about the bills, suggesting that they should be withdrawn for further consultation.

The Senate suspended debate on the tax reform bills on Wednesday, December 4, amid intense backlash from both within and outside the legislative body, just a day after the bills had passed the second reading.

The Senate on the same day established a 10-man committee, tasked with collaborating with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to iron out contentious issues in the bills.

In a related development, the House of Representatives also suspended debate on the bills indefinitely on December 2.

The debate was initially scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, but was put on hold due to strong opposition from the northern governors.

It was called off in a memo signed by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, as 73 northern lawmakers kicked against the bills.

Those who rejected the bills include 48 Reps members from the Northeast and 24 federal lawmakers from Kano.

The memo suspending the debate, dated November 30, 2024, is titled, ‘Rescheduling of Special Session on Tax Reform Bills.’