ABUJA, Nigeria (CHATNEWSTV) — Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule on Wednesday revealed that President Bola Tinubu has agreed to amend contentious clauses in the proposed tax reform bills, which have sparked widespread opposition.
The Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill were transmitted to the National Assembly in September but faced criticism from groups including the Northern Governors Forum, Traditional Rulers Council, National Economic Council, and Northern Elders Forum.
Despite the backlash, the bills recently passed second reading in the Senate. However, Governor Sule said during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today that the President assured governors that their concerns would be addressed.
“We have achieved our goal,” Sule said. “All we wanted was for the bill to be discussed further. We didn’t want it passed with all its contentious content.”
The governor praised President Tinubu’s willingness to listen. “I give credit to Mr. President; when the governors met with him, he told us we don’t have to withdraw the bill. We can address all the concerns through amendments before passing it,” Sule added.
He also commended the House of Representatives for its approach, saying, “Look at how the House is handling it. It hasn’t even passed second reading. They’re taking inputs and making considerations from everybody. That’s commendable.”
