A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Niyi Akinsiju, has dismissed the growing concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills as unwarranted. He described the public agitation as a needless distraction that undermines the broader economic benefits of the legislation.
The controversy erupted following the submission of four tax reform bills by Tinubu’s administration to the National Assembly. The proposals have faced stiff opposition, particularly from northern leaders.
The 19 northern governors recently called for the withdrawal of the bills, citing inadequate consultation. Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, added his voice, urging northern stakeholders to reject the reforms over fears that they could harm the region’s economy.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also expressed concerns, advocating for fairness and transparency in reviewing the proposed changes.
Speaking at a press event organized by the Independent Media and Policy Initiative in Abuja, Akinsiju said the uproar surrounding the reforms is misplaced.
“We are not surprised by the furore generated over the proposed sharing formula for the proceeds of VAT as contained in the bills,” Akinsiju said. “Interestingly, all the exemptions and considerations in the bills, including others not listed, do not detract from their strong revenue-generation framework.”
He added, “The current disagreement reflects a hangover from an era where states squabbled over revenue allocation. What the tax reforms propose is an innovative and symbiotic fiscal relationship between the state and its citizens—a win-win situation.”
