NIGERIA: “The Senate Will Not Be Bullied” – Akpabio On Tax Bill Reform

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Godswill Akpabio has on Thursday addressed criticisms surrounding Nigeria’s 2024 proposed tax reform bills presented to the house on the 3rd of September, 2024, by the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Akpabio vehemently warned state governors and other critics not to use the media to pressure lawmakers, urging them to channel their concerns as regards the tax reform through public hearings.

He said: said: “If the state governors or any state governor in Nigeria, no matter whether the person is a religious leader or a businessman that has problems with the bill, you know where to go, to public hearing.”

He also emphasised that: “The Senate will not be bullied. We are doing our work in the interest of Nigerians, and by the time we come up with our final position, it will reflect the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.”

The Senate President’s remark is said to be triggered by the comment made by the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule during a television program, where he shared that the senate has temporarily withdrawn the tax bills.

However, despite the backlash, Akpabio defended the reforms, saying the provisions of the tax bills will help many Nigerians.

He noted that: “But for the tax reform bill, we believe that there are too many provisions there that will help Nigerians.

“You can’t imagine what it means for businesses that earn less than 50 million not to pay tax. You can’t imagine what it means for a multiplicity of taxes to be abrogated. You can’t imagine what it means for people who earn less than the minimum wage or even the minimum wage not to pay tax. I assume the exceptions are such that only 100 million Nigerians will benefit from this tax reform bill.”

The senate president equally urged his colleagues to desist from trusting conversations and trolls on social media.

“So let’s not listen to social media. Let’s not listen to Arise television. I hope they are well guided with the explanation of the Senate leader,” he said.