‘Suspicious’, Ndume Queries Rush To Pass Tax Reform Bills

Senator Ali Ndume has expressed strong opposition to the speedy passage of the tax reform bills currently under consideration in the National Assembly, calling the rush to pass the legislation “suspicious.” The bills, which were sent by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly in early October, have sparked considerable controversy, with Ndume among the most vocal critics.

The bills, which passed their second reading in the Senate on Thursday, aim to establish structures such as the Joint Revenue Board, the Tax Appeal Tribunal, and the Office of the Tax Ombud. These are part of a broader initiative by the Tinubu administration to reform Nigeria’s tax system. However, the bills have faced backlash, including from the National Economic Council, which advised the President to withdraw them for further consultation. Despite this, President Tinubu has insisted that the bills should continue through the legislative process.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ndume, the lawmaker representing Borno South, reiterated his opposition, questioning the urgency of the reforms. He suggested that there is no immediate need to rush the bills through the National Assembly, especially when other important pieces of legislation, like the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), had taken years to pass. Ndume pointed out that the PIB was introduced when he was in the House of Representatives but was not passed until much later when he had already moved to the Senate.

Ndume argued that the speed at which the tax reforms are being pushed raises concerns. He asked why the government is in such a hurry, especially when consultations have not been thoroughly conducted. “It is not that I am totally saying that we should throw away the baby with the bath water, but since the governors, who are our leaders, and the National Economic Council have suggested that we do more consultations, why the rush?” he said.

One of Ndume’s main objections to the bills is the timing. He noted that the country is facing a difficult economic situation, with many Nigerians struggling to make ends meet. He argued that now is not the ideal time to introduce tax reforms, as citizens are already grappling with economic hardship. “Nigerians are struggling to survive. The timing is wrong,” Ndume emphasized. He added that people are not against paying taxes but feel that the reform should be introduced when the country is in a better economic position, rather than when many Nigerians are “just surviving.”

Ndume compared the proposed tax reform bills to a situation where someone is given a benefit with one hand but has it taken away with the other. He expressed concern that the government might impose new taxes on struggling citizens, which he believes could lead to further hardship.

Despite his opposition, Ndume clarified that his criticism is not meant to undermine President Tinubu. “I don’t want the President to fail. I am not against him personally,” he said, explaining that his concerns are rooted in the potential negative impact of the bills on Nigerians.

The four tax reform bills, which were sent to the National Assembly by President Tinubu on October 3, are seen as central to the administration’s efforts to overhaul the country’s tax system. On Thursday, the Senate passed the bills for their second reading through voice votes. These include proposals to establish key bodies for tax coordination and dispute resolution, with the goal of improving Nigeria’s revenue administration.