There is no better forum to engage in consultations on issues of law and legislation than the National Assembly especially with major reform issues such as the ongoing debate on tax reform policy in the country.
This was the view of former presidential spokesperson Laolu Akande during the My Take segment of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Sunday.
Akande submitted that the legislature is a better forum for the governors who wanted to have more consultation on the set of reform bills sent by the Presidency. This, he said, was better than withdrawal of the bills with the possibility of stalling the reforms.
“The decision of NEC, in the same week as the decision of the Northern Governors Forum that rejected the Bills raised concerns about an attempt possible to stall tax reforms and also overlooked the National Assembly’s role as the ultimate forum for National consultations on issues of governance,” Akande explained.
However, he raised concerns that this action—alongside the Northern Governors Forum’s rejection of the bills—may signal an effort to stall much-needed tax reforms.
Akande made it clear that the National Assembly, as the representative body of the people, is the legitimate forum for deliberating on and consulting about issues that affect governance and the economy.
“Now, I like to add, the National Assembly, not the Governors’ Forums, is the appropriate venue for consultations,” the veteran journalist noted.
For Akande, this issue underscores a larger principle about respecting institutional boundaries and the separation of powers.
Akande commended President Tinubu for holding his ground and directing the bills to proceed through the National Assembly.
“The President’s insistence that the bills should not be withdrawn from the National Assembly and that they should follow the appropriate legislative process is very commendable,” he noted. He emphasized that Tinubu’s approach prevents the kind of open-ended consultations that could drag on indefinitely, thereby stalling necessary reforms that will ultimately benefit Nigerians.
Recall that Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed the President’s position through a statement titled ‘Proposed tax reforms bills should go through the legislative process; inputs can be made at public hearings.’
It read, “President Bola Tinubu has received the National Economic Council’s recommendation that the tax reform bills already sent to the National Assembly be withdrawn for further consultation.
President Tinubu sent four bills to the National Assembly which include:
The Nigeria Tax Bill, which aims to eliminate unintended multiple taxation and make Nigeria’s economy more competitive by simplifying tax obligations for businesses and individuals nationwide.
The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill which proposes new rules governing the administration of all taxes in the country.
Third, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill seeks to rename the Federal Inland Revenue Service as the Nigeria Revenue Service to better reflect the mandate of the Service as the revenue agency for the entire federation, not just the Federal Government.
Fourth, the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill which proposes the creation of a Joint Revenue Board to replace the Joint Tax Board, covering federal and all states’ tax authorities.
