Reps Suspend Tax Reform Debate Indefinitely Amidst Mounting Pressure

The debate on the Tax Reforms Bills earlier fixed for Tuesday by the House of Representatives has been suspended.

This is coming following mounting pressure from the 19 northern states’ governors.

The planned debate was called off in a memo signed by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr Yahaya Danzaria, as 73 northern lawmakers kicked against the bills.

Those who rejected the bills include 48 Reps members from the Northeast, 24 federal lawmakers from Kano, and a former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, who represents Sokoto South Senatorial District.

The memo suspending the debate dated November 30, 2024, is titled, ‘Rescheduling of Special Session on Tax Reform Bills.’

It read, “I am directed by the House leadership to inform all Honourable Members that the special session, initially scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2024, to discuss all the tax reform bills, has been postponed to a later date.

“This rescheduling is due to the need for further and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders. A new date and venue for the session will be communicated in due course. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.”

A leaked video of the closed-door session of the Green Chamber obtained by The PUNCH showed the North-East lawmakers in tense debates against the tax reform bills.

The footage shows the member representing Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok Federal Constituency, Borno State, saying, “On behalf of the 48 honourable members from the ravaged North-East sub-region, I want to first of all rely on the position of the three previous caucus leaders. In addition to this, the primary responsibility of every government is simply the welfare of its citizens.

“North-East, even before the insurgency, was the poorest region in Nigeria. Today, our people have been turned into beggars. Billionaires and millionaires of yesterday have to queue up in IDP camps in host communities to collect 10kg bags of rice.

“If other parts of the country were in our shoes, even this sitting would not be possible. We have concluded that we are going to make further consultations because there is nothing that is cast in stone.”

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Giving an insight into the development during the closed-door session, a lawmaker from the North-West, stated, “As the representatives of the people, we have resolved to continue our consultation on the matter,” adding that “Things degenerated almost to a point of rebellion against the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu who presided over the executive session.”

According to him, what transpired during Thursday’s executive session indicates that the bills may not have a smooth ride in the House.

“From what I can deduce, the Governors of the North are not yet convinced about the arguments in favour of the bills. The bills are against the interest of the North, and that is why we are saying, ‘If you think this is not the case, give us more time to consult with our people.’

“The speed with which they want these bills considered and passed is suspicious. This is why our governors are not convinced and we are not convinced either,” he noted.