Tinubu orders Justice Ministry, NASS to address concerns over tax bills

President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Justice and the National Assembly to address concerns raised over the recently proposed Tax Reform Bills.

The bills have faced criticism, particularly from northern governors, who argue that they are detrimental to the region and could worsen poverty in the country.

To address these concerns, President Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Justice to examine the issues raised and collaborate with the leadership of the National Assembly to refine the bills.

“It is important to clarify that the government has no hidden agenda behind the suggestion that the process is being rushed. In accordance with established legislative procedures, the federal government welcomes constructive inputs that can address any grey areas in the bill,” stated Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement on Tuesday.

“In this regard, President Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Justice and the relevant officials involved in drafting the bills to collaborate closely with the National Assembly to ensure that all legitimate concerns are addressed before the bills are passed.”

He emphasized the president’s commitment to accountability to the Nigerian people, describing the public debates surrounding the bills as “welcomed and commendable.” “It is truly inspiring to see Nigerians from all backgrounds actively participating in discussions on these matters of vital national importance,” he said. “This is the very essence of democracy.”

The minister also noted that, in the spirit of democratic engagement, there should be no place for name-calling or the introduction of unnecessary ethnic and regional slurs into this crucial national dialogue.

While some critics argue that the bills could impoverish certain states, the minister rejected such claims, labeling them as “fake news” and “misinformation.” “The fiscal reforms will not impoverish any state or region, nor will they lead to the dismantling or weakening of any federal agencies,” he added.

Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at NeptunePrime.

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