Philip Agbese
The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese has said President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills will take away the burden on poor Nigerians and small companies when signed into law.
The four executive bills have since introduction pitched the 36 state governors against the Federal Government, with the former calling for the withdrawal of the bills to create room for more consultation.
Though some governors are said to be shifting their position on the matter, Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, has called on his northern colleagues to reject the bills, insisting that if implemented, they would damage the region’s economy.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Agbese called on Nigerians to rally around Tinubu’s tax bills, adding that as lawmakers, the interest of the nation surpassed individual or sectional consideration.
“We hope to debate these bills on Tuesday and we expect robust deliberation that will ultimately lead to the passage of the bills. Most of our colleagues have read the bills and as a result, they are now shifting grounds. Those initially opposed to the bills are now advocating for their speedy consideration and passage.
“When we converge next week, more supporters will have been won over but I want to add that this is not only about lawmakers. These bills are about Nigerians, from the top company executive to the farmer in a rural village. I say this because public policy affects everyone. If passed into law, these bills will rejig the economy and ensure rapid development of critical infrastructure,” he added.
He commended Tinubu for championing a new direction of tax administration in the country, saying, “Nigeria is going the way of progressive taxation. What this means is that if implemented, we will have a new tax regime that takes away the burden from poor Nigerians and small companies. It is a new thinking that will do us good”.
