- Some state governors are allegedly pressuring federal lawmakers to withdraw support for Tinubu's Tax Reform Bills, threatening to block re-election in 2027
- Philip Agbese affirmed the House's commitment to passing the Tax Reform Bills with minor adjustments, emphasising the national interest
- The House of Representatives to engage with Taiwo Oyedele and other tax experts ahead of plenary on November 19
Philip Agbese, deputy spokesman for the House of Representatives, has stated that some state governors are pressuring federal lawmakers to back out from their support for President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills, threatening to block their chances of re-election in 2027 if they do not comply.
Agbese disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, November 18. He further revealed that lawmakers will hold discussions with Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, along with other prominent tax experts, regarding the bills.
Agbese discusses governors' opposition to tax reform bill
Agbese stated that several governors are meeting ahead of the National Assembly’s resumption to deliberate on the tax bills and other key legislations.
“Some of these governors are threatening members from their states. They have even gone far to threaten that they would deny members return tickets in 2027 if they support the bills,” Agbese stated.
Recall that on September 3, 2024, the President presented four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration, following the suggestions of the tax reforms committee under the leadership of Oyedele.
The bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, aimed at establishing a comprehensive fiscal framework for taxation in the country, as well as the Tax Administration Bill, which seeks to create a clear legal structure for taxes and reduce conflicts.
Also included are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which seeks to repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and create the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, designed to establish a tax tribunal and appoint a tax ombudsman.
Reps will support Tinubu’s reforms despite pressure, Agbese
Speaking further, Agbese said, “As far as we are concerned in the House of Representatives, nobody can stop us from supporting President Bola Tinubu’s bid to reboot the economy to work for the country.
“We are united across party lines to make sure the country works. This is the disposition of Speaker, Tajudeen Abass.”
“Behold, they shall surely gather, but not by me. Whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.”
He added, “The difference between the new crop of politicians in the House of Representatives is that we are intellectually sound, progressive-minded and pro-Nigeria.
“We were not elected by the governors but our constituents and as far as the legislation (bills) will work for those that elected us, we will support them unequivocally, wholeheartedly and powerfully to see the light of the day.”
House to meet with tax experts ahead of plenary resumption
According to Agbese, the House will meet with Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, and several prominent tax experts on Monday, ahead of the resumption of plenary on Tuesday.
“We are engaging Taiwo Oyedele and other tax experts on Monday.
“We have made copies of the bills available to every lawmaker to study, dissect and make inputs when we bring them up for debate,” he stated, adding that the proposed legislation was likely to scale through but with some amendments where necessary.
“I see the 10th House Congressmen passing the bills with minor adjustments to polish them with a touch of patriotism and intellectualism. That’s the trademark when you have a teacher leading a parliament anywhere in the world.”
Tax reforms: Nigeria’s tax system is outdated, backwards, says Oyedele
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, said Nigeria’s tax system was among the most outdated globally and required urgent reform.
The tax reform committee chairman called for a centralised tax collection system.