Following the controversy trailing the Tax Reforms Bills, President Bola Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Justice to work closely with the National Assembly to address the concerns raised by Nigerians.
The President, who is in South Africa, handed down the review order on Tuesday as some northern youths stormed the National Assembly in support of the bills and this was contained in a statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, titled, ‘President Tinubu committed to accountability on tax bills, directs Ministry of Justice to work with NASS on concerns.’
The bills which include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill have generated hot debates and contention across the country with northern governors and lawmakers opposed to their passage.
Critics argue that the reforms could disrupt the balance of fiscal federalism, potentially centralising tax authority and diminishing state revenues.
However, in a move to assuage the high emotion over the reform bills, Tinubu directed the Federal Ministry of Justice and relevant officials who worked on the draft to collaborate with the National Assembly to address all genuine concerns before the bills were passed.