Northern Lawmaker Backs Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill, Disputes Claims Of Opposition.
A prominent lawmaker, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bill will be passed by the National Assembly, despite opposition from some quarters. Jibrin, a member of the House of Representatives for the Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in Kano State, disagreed with Borno Senator Ali Ndume, who had declared the bill “dead on arrival.”
Speaking in an interview with Channels TV on Sunday, Jibrin clarified that the perception of widespread northern opposition to the bill was misplaced. He emphasised that the North was not united in opposition to the reform, as some have suggested.
“It is not a consensus in the North that this bill should be shut down,” Jibrin stated. “Talking for myself, and based on my understanding of the National Assembly’s procedural approach, I can confidently say the bill is not dead on arrival.”
Jibrin went on to highlight that the bill contains hundreds of clauses, many of which align with long-standing legislative goals. He assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would meticulously review each provision to ensure transparency and effectiveness in the bill’s implementation.
“The work we will undertake will enable Nigerians to see the details of every clause,” he explained. “I am confident that the bill will go through due legislative processes and ultimately be passed.”
Despite controversy surrounding the tax reform bill, including recommendations from the National Economic Council, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, to reconsider or “step down” the bill, President Tinubu remains firm in his stance. He has indicated that the reform package will not be withdrawn from the National Assembly.
Jibrin suggested that, once passed, the reforms could provide benefits that would serve the interests of Nigerians, as intended by President Tinubu. He urged citizens to withhold judgement until the bill’s full details are made public, stressing that the review process by the National Assembly is focused on delivering a beneficial and balanced outcome.
As the debate continues, Jibrin’s statements underscore the varied perspectives within the legislature on the reform bill, adding another layer to the ongoing discourse on Nigeria’s economic future.
