The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) remains vehemently opposed to President Bola Tinubu‘s proposed Tax Reform Bills, arguing that these bills could harm the economy of Northern Nigeria, which already struggles with insecurity, poverty, and youth unemployment.
In a statement on Saturday, NEF Chairman A.M. Al-Amin Daggash called the bills “flawed and potentially harmful.” The forum demands an immediate suspension of the reforms, believing the government’s approach “would certainly exacerbate rather than alleviate the unbearable existing harsh economic realities” facing the poor and vulnerable in the North.
The forum stated, “It is terribly shocking that, in this time and age, with nearly three decades of unbroken experimentation of democratic governance, our dear country will be so sadly saddled with a government that is working assiduously to deny its citizens the vigorous ventilation of democratic opinions and freedom of expression.“
According to President Bola Tinubu’s government, the proposed reforms are intended to improve tax collection and increase government revenue. However, the NEF criticized the government for not engaging stakeholders in the process. They stated, “These glaring failures necessitated the timely setting up of a Committee of Experts on the field.”
The forum urged the government to stop rushing the bills and to consult with various stakeholders. They recommend reconsidering plans to increase VAT and protecting key institutions like TETFund and NITDA. They stated, “We strongly recommend that the government maintain the status quo.“
The NEF also calls for fair VAT distribution and suggests exempting agricultural goods and livestock from VAT. To promote inclusivity, they want to replace the term “ecclesiastical” with “religious.” They advocate for exempting religious organizations and family inheritance wealth from taxation.
The NEF concludes that the government should develop a comprehensive dialogue to improve legislative outcomes. It emphasizes the need for a transparent tax administration system that supports national unity and economic progress.
“The leadership of Northern Elders’ Forum holds the firm view that the government’s interests will best be served by actively engaging in comprehensive dialogue with varied and critical stakeholders, to foster very admirable legislative outcomes that will respect the rights of all citizens,” the group said.
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