The transmission of tax reform bills to the National Assembly in September 2024 by President Bola Tinubu did not comply with due process, a federal lawmaker from Bauchi State, Mansur Soro, has said.
Tinubu, on September 3, 2024, transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration, following the recommendations of the Taiwo Oyedele-led Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms.
However, the bills have met stiff opposition from the 36 state governors who have called for their withdrawal to allow room for more consultation.
Although the House is broadening consultation ahead of the debate of the bills next week at plenary, the Bauchi lawmaker told Sunday PUNCH why those opposed to the proposed legislation might support the position of the governors.
Speaking with our correspondent, Soro who represents Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, said before related bills were passed in the past, they enjoyed the support of the National Economic Council.
He said, “During the 9th assembly, we passed the Finance Act, 2020. Before the Finance Bill was passed into law, it went from the Federal Executive Council to the National Economic Council for the sub-nationals to make their input and ratify.
“Why are the tax bills different? Why are they bypassing NEC, which is what created the problem we are in now? We can’t shave their (governors) heads in their absence.
“It’s sad that things have gotten to this point. All this could have been avoided had due process been followed in transmitting the bills to the National Assembly.”
The lawmaker, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, added that the failure to get governors’ approval at NEC has birthed a suspicion that couldn’t be dismissed by a wave of the hand.
Warning of the dangers ahead, the federal lawmaker continued, “We may end up losing all the good provisions of the bills due to the suspicion created by bypassing NEC.
“The President can still redeem the situation by recalling the bills and committing them to NEC. Otherwise, we may lose the baby with the bath water,” he added.
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