The proposed tax reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have continued to spark significant controversy, with northern state governors and National Assembly members taking new steps to block the president’s initiatives.
According to sources, the latest pushback within the National Assembly is being led by governors from the seven states in the North-West and six from the North-East, with two additional governors from the North-Central region joining their ranks.
However, not all northern governors are opposed to the reforms. Reports indicate that four governors from the region are in support of Tinubu’s proposals. Of these, three belong to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and one is affiliated with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Pressure is mounting on two presiding officers from the North-West in the National Assembly to align with the dissenting northern governors. Sources have revealed to Saturday Sun that influential traditional rulers and religious leaders have been engaged to persuade the officers to obstruct the bills’ progress. It remains uncertain whether these officers will yield to such pressures.
Meanwhile, a group of northern lawmakers, led by former Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume, has been actively rallying against the tax bills in both legislative chambers.
Ndume, in multiple public statements, has dismissed the bills as “dead on arrival” and criticized them as detrimental to the northern region.
“The proposed tax increases would further burden Nigerians,” Ndume argued. “The middle class is already on the brink of disappearing. If people cannot sustain their livelihoods, additional taxes are not feasible. First, we need to improve living conditions so that citizens have disposable income before considering increased taxation. It’s common sense—you cannot ask for a blood donationfrom someone who’s already anemic.”
While many senators have refrained from publicly voicing their opposition, insiders suggest that efforts to subvert the bills are ongoing behind the scenes.
Despite the growing resistance, President Tinubu has made it clear that he does not intend to withdraw the proposed tax reforms.
However, he has expressed willingness to incorporate legislative feedback and amend the bills where necessary.
The reform package, which has drawn widespread scrutiny, includes key legislative pieces aimed at overhauling tax administration.
These include the Nigeria Tax Bill to reduce redundant taxes, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill to standardize processes nationwide, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill proposing a rebranding of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill designed to create a unified tax management body.