By Abba Dukawa
I am using this medium with the hope this open letter will reach all Northern Nigerian Lawmakers, members of the House of Representatives and other mind-alike lawmakers from another part of the country hands, not to support Tinubu’s tax reform bills before the National Assembly.
Nigeria is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation, leading to widespread hardship and anger. It’s well known the administration has implemented economic policies that have triggered more economic hardship for millions of citizens. One minute, they have a reason to smile, and the very next, they make citizens feel heartbroken.
The administration’s Renewed Hope is increasingly turning into Renewed Frustration for citizens. Millions of Households have been dehumanised by economic hardship. Without any distortions of reality or an act of criticism to the administration, the fact on the ground that Life in Nigeria has become miserable for the larger population of Nigerians as the year 2024 was one of the hardest years Nigerians have ever undergone in recent years.
It’s heartbreaking to see people struggling to afford necessities some people even resorting to searching for food in garbage bins. The situation has become so dire that many are dying because of starvation. Let me remind you of the deteriorating state of the economy. Actually, what is happening now? The entire country is gnashing its teeth. That is what exactly is going on. A period of more belt-tightening for citizens whose waists are disappearing?
This is not the subject of my open letter but is a prelude toward the main subject. A fish in a sea doesn’t know the sun is hot. This is exactly what happens to the lawmakers, and maybe you are not aware of the larger reality and how citizens regard Tinubu’s tax reforms. As you all know fish in the pond is oblivious to the heat of the sun, maybe the lawmakers are unaware of the “heat”
Coming to the issue at stake Tinubu’s tax reforms. This is a legislation piece presented before the national assembly that has faced stiff opposition from all stakeholders. Despite protests and rejections of the pieces of the legislation, the Senate passed the bills for a second reading last Thursday, notwithstanding rowdiness at plenary.
Even before the second reading, the National Economic Council (NEC), led by the Vice President, has expressed reservations over the Tax Reform Bill; Northern Governors, Traditional Rulers, and Northern Elders Forum have rejected the proposed bills. Briefing State House Correspondents after the meeting, governors
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said NEC observed that adequate consultations needed to be made to get the views of stakeholders, including the state governors, to ensure that the law is favourable to all Nigerians.
Northern governors forum
rejects the proposed Tax Amendments and calls on members of the National Assembly to oppose any bill that could jeopardise the well-being of people. The forum said for the avoidance of doubt, the Northern Governors’ Forum is not opposed to policies or programs aimed at fostering national growth and development. However, the forum calls for equity and fairness in implementing all national policies and programs to ensure that no geopolitical zone is short-changed or marginalised.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State Speaking on the development in an interview with BBC Hausa service, the governor expressed displeasure over how the bills enjoyed speedy and smooth passage to the current phase when other bills had spent several years to scale through.
He said, “We condemn these bills transmitted to the National Assembly. They will drag the North backwards, and not only the North, South East, South West and some states in the South West such as Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo, will have problems with these bills.
It is not opposition; this, based on our understanding, is something that will destroy the North in its entirety. Therefore, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review this decision. He secured 60% of his votes in the north. He should not listen to those telling him that northerners are not supporting him.
Why did the forwarded bill to the National Assembly, especially in the Senate, receive the utmost attention despite the fact many bills are more important to citizens’ well-being than Tax Reforms? Why did the bills hurriedly pass a second reading after many pundits have expressed worry that if the Bills are passed and signed into Law, it will add salt to the injury?
What’s appalling is that Senators supporting the bill are disregarding the socio-economic struggles of their constituents, prioritizing their political ambitions instead and desire to curry favour of the presidency. Notwithstanding, larger society is dismayed that Senators are supporting a bill that ignores the socio-economic challenges confronting Nigerians.
Shockingly, Senators are backing a bill that will exacerbate the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, demonstrating a callous disregard for the welfare of their constituents and the nation as a whole. The Senators’ support for the bill is a stark reminder of their disconnect from the socio-economic realities faced by their constituents, who are struggling to make ends meet amidst rising costs of living, insecurity, and lack of access to basic healthcare.
It’s unconscionable that Senators are backing a bill that will further exacerbate the economic hardships faced by Nigerians when they should be working to address the pressing issues of poverty, insecurity, and inequality that are plaguing the nation.
Let you remember that the purpose of your election was to fundamentally champion the course to address the development challenges facing your constituencies through effective legislative engagement rather than dedicating your energy to serve an anti-people agenda, which would further marginalise people, the constituency where you come from. It would be wiser and more beneficial for senators to prioritize their focus towards championing the course of alleviating the pressing socio-economic challenges ravaging the people in the country.
This tax reform, in its current form, threatens to exacerbate the burdens of businesses and families in Nigeria—that are already struggling to survive due to inconsistent fuel subsidy removal, epileptic power supply and unfriendly administration policies which have been crippling the economy and growth of Nigerians
Is the Tax Reform well-timed or poorly timed? Only time will tell when the bill reaches the House of Representatives
Dukawa write in from Abuja and can be reached at abbahydukawa@gmail.com