Tax reform bills: Governors’ decision not enough, says Ndume

• Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume criticizes tax reform proposals, calling them insufficient and potentially worsening poverty in Nigeria
• Ndume advocates for broader consultations and transparency to address concerns and ensure a unified stance on the legislation

Mohammed Ali Ndume, a senator from Borno South, stated that while the Nigeria Governor’s Forum’s (NGF) proposals on tax reform legislation are a positive step, they are insufficient because some parts of the laws still need to be clarified.

The measures that are presently before the National Assembly have drawn harsh condemnation, particularly from those in northern Nigeria, who have characterised them as part of the government of President Bola Tinubu’s anti-north agenda.

Ndume, who has criticised some of the current government’s policies, insisted that the tax change will worsen the poverty rather than alleviate it and urged the president to revoke the measures.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa service, Ndume said, “What the governors did is a welcome development, but it is not enough because we still do not have comprehensive understanding of the bills.”

He added that while NGF’s decision was a right step, there was a need to open doors for wider consultations and public inputs in order to have a unison stance on the legislation.

“There is a need for transparency. The process should not be rushed as this would lead to making mistakes.

“The door for correcting the mistakes has been opened now, unlike before when it was closed and the bills left as they were. The work is now with the legislators and the general public,” he added.