Atiku Calls For Transparency, Fairness in NASS Deliberation on Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has called on the National Assembly to ensure transparency and fairness in its handling of the Tax Reform Bills.

He urged lawmakers to prioritise the interests of Nigerians and align the bills with principles of justice and equity.

In a statement shared on Sunday on social media, Atiku requested the National Assembly to revisit and make public the resolutions of the National Economic Council (NEC).

He emphasised that the NEC, as an advisory body to the President on economic affairs, plays a critical role in shaping policies that impact the nation.

According to him, he has been following the intense public discourse on the Tax Reform Bills with keen interest, stating that Nigerians are united in their call for a fiscal system that promotes justice, fairness, and equity.

In his words:

“They are loud and clear that the fiscal system we seek to promote must not exacerbate the uneven development of the federating units by enhancing the status of a few states while unduly penalising others.

I call for objectivity and transparency in the conduct of the public hearing being organised by our representatives in the National Assembly. As a concerned stakeholder, I firmly believe that transparency and objectivity are essential for promoting accountability, good governance, and public trust in policy-making,” he said.

He added that the public hearing process must facilitate open and inclusive participation by all stakeholders, including Civil Society Organisations, traditional institutions, politicians, public officials, and subject matter experts.

The NASS must be appropriately guided and ensure that in the final analysis, the contents of the Bills align with the interests of the vast majority of Nigerians,” Atiku urged.

This call for transparency followed President Bola Tinubu’s submission of four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for deliberation, despite multiple taxes already imposed on on Nigerians.

It will be recalled that West Africa Weekly reported that the key proposals include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which aims to establish a comprehensive fiscal framework for tax regulation across the country.

The Tax Administration Bill which seeks to streamline tax management by providing a clear legal structure for overseeing taxes, reducing disputes, and improving overall efficiency in Nigeria’s tax system.

Another component of the reform is the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which proposes to repeal the existing Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Act. In its place, the bill would establish a new Nigeria Revenue Service, tasked with strengthening revenue collection processes.

The fourth proposed bill, the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, aims to create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman to handle tax disputes and ensure proper accountability in tax-related matters. This board would serve as a forum for resolving tax issues outside of the traditional court system, ensuring that disputes are handled more efficiently.

Tinubu claims that the proposed reforms are aligned with his administration’s broader economic development goals.

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