The deputy spokesman for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese (APC-Benue), said on Monday that the lawmakers will not support governors against President Bola Tinubu in the ongoing debate on the four tax reform bills before the parliament.
According to Agbese, lawmakers view the four bills as crucial drivers of economic growth, prompting them to solidly back the legislation.
He spoke against the widespread rumour that some governors are threatening to deny lawmakers from their states return tickets in the 2027 election if they continue to give support for the bills.
Persecondnews recalls that the President had on September 3, 2024, transmitted four tax reform 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 in the country.
The bills 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.
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.
However, the Nigeria Economic Council (NEC), comprising 36 state governors and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, demanded the withdrawal of the executive bills, which are still at the first reading stage, citing the need for more consultations and input from the public.
But the presidency maintained that the legislative process should proceed uninterrupted, allowing for potential amendments during public hearings at the Senate and House of Representatives.
Agbese, in an interview, 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 so far as to threaten that they would deny members a return ticket in 2027 if they support the bills.
“The difference between the new crop 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 by 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.”
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