Ali Ndume, a senator from Borno South, claims that the National Assembly can reject President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills without first studying them.
Tinubu requested in October that the National Assembly examine and approve four tax reform bills, including the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, the Nigeria Tax Bill, and the Tax Administration Bill.
The Northern States Governors Forum, NSGF, opposed the bills, while the National Economic Council, NEC, urged the President to withdraw them for further consultations.
However, Tinubu stated the laws will not be removed.
He stated the National Assembly could make adjustments as they see necessary.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ndume claimed not to have read the tax reform laws.
However, he pointed out that he does not think the laws’ timing makes sense given the nation’s economic circumstances.
“I can assure you that it will be dead when it gets there. The bill doesn’t need to be studied,” he declared.
Given the circumstances we have encountered, Nigerians are generally unwilling to speak, listen, or pay taxes at this time because this is the people’s government.
“Right now, people can’t even afford what to eat. Individuals are fighting for their lives.
“Let people live first before you start asking them for tax,” he said.