Connect with us

Politics

New Tax Reforms Will Benefit All Regions Equally – Tinubu

Published

on

The Presidency has clarified that the proposed tax reforms, including changes to Nigeria’s Value-Added Tax (VAT) distribution model, are intended to benefit all regions equally.

This response follows opposition from the Northern Governors’ Forum, a coalition of governors from Nigeria’s 19 northern states, who expressed concern over aspects of the reform at a meeting held on October 28.

READ MORE: Young Man, 4 Friends Die After Eating Poisoned Pepper Soup Of Ex-Girlfriend

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this in a statement released on Thursday.

Led by Governor Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, the governors, supported by traditional rulers like the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, cautioned that the proposed VAT model might disadvantage their states.

The statement reads, “While we commend the Governors and traditional rulers for supporting President Bola Tinubu over the success recorded in addressing the country’s security challenges, we consider it necessary to address the misunderstandings and misgivings around the tax reform already embarked upon by the administration.

“President Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council recently endorsed new policy initiatives aimed at streamlining Nigeria’s tax administration processes, enhancing efficiency and eliminating redundancies across the nation’s tax operations.

“These reforms emerged after an extensive review of existing tax laws. The National Assembly is considering four executive bills designed to transform and modernise Nigeria’s tax landscape.

“First is the Nigeria Tax Bill, which aims to eliminate unintended multiple taxation and make Nigeria’s economy more competitive by simplifying tax obligations for businesses and individuals nationwide.

“Second, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill (NTAB) proposes new rules governing the administration of all taxes in the country. Its objective is to harmonise tax administrative processes across federal, state and local jurisdictions for ease of compliance for taxpayers in all parts of the country.

“Third, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill seeks to rename the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to better reflect the mandate of the Service as the revenue agency for the entire federation, not just the Federal Government.

“Fourth, the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill proposes the creation of a Joint Revenue Board to replace the Joint Tax Board, covering federal and all states’ tax authorities.

“The fourth bill also suggests establishing the Office of Tax Ombudsman under the Joint Revenue Board, which would serve as a complaint resolution body for taxpayers.

“It is instructive to note that these proposed laws will not increase the number of taxes currently in operation. Instead, they are designed to optimise and simplify existing tax frameworks.

“The tax rates or percentages will remain the same under these reforms, as they focus on ensuring a more equitable distribution of tax obligations without adding to the burden on Nigerians.

“The reforms will not lead to job losses. On the contrary, they are structured to stimulate new avenues for job creation by supporting a dynamic, growth-oriented economy.

“Importantly, these laws will not absorb or eliminate the duties of any existing department, agency, or ministry. Instead, they aim to harmonise revenue collection and administration across the federation to ensure efficiency and cooperation.

“At the moment, tax administration lacks coordination among federal, state, and local tax authorities, often resulting in overlapping responsibilities, confusion, and inefficiency. Without reform, this inefficiency will persist.

“The proposed laws aim to coordinate efforts between different tiers of government, resulting in better tax resource management and greater clarity for taxpayers.

“Under existing laws, taxes like Company Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax (PIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Petroleum Profits Tax (PPT), Tertiary Education Tax (TET), Value-Added Tax (VAT), and other taxing provisions in numerous laws are administered separately, with individual legislative frameworks.

“The proposed reforms seek to consolidate these multiple taxes, integrating CIT, PIT, CGT, VAT, PPT, and excise duties into a unified structure to reduce administrative fragmentation.

“On the proposed derivation-based VAT distribution model, which the Northern Governors oppose, it must be stressed that the new proposal, as enunciated in the Bill, is designed to create a fairer system.

“The current model for distributing VAT is based on where the tax is remitted rather than where goods and services are supplied or consumed.

“The ongoing tax reform seeks to correct the inherent inequity in the current derivation model as a basis for distributing VAT revenue.

“The new proposal before the National Assembly outlines a different form of derivation which considers the place of supply or consumption for relevant goods and services.

“This means that states in the Northern region that produce the food we eat should not lose out just because their products are VAT-exempt or consumed in other states.

“These reforms are critical to improving the lives of Nigerians and were not put forward by President Tinubu to undermine any part of the country.

“There is no better time than now for the National Assembly to give due consideration to these bills that will overhaul our tax systems and create the revenue all the tiers of government require to fund the development our country and people urgently need.” It added

3 Comments
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
3 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
y8
y8
1 year ago

470890 130648As far as me being a member here, I wasnt aware that I was a member for any days, truly. When the post was published I received a notification, so that I could participate inside the discussion with the post, That would explain me stumbuling upon this post. But were undoubtedly all members in the world of concepts. 765488

1st bet
1 year ago

321067 499840Wow! This could be 1 specific of the most helpful blogs Weve ever arrive across on this topic. Truly Excellent. Im also an expert in this topic therefore I can recognize your hard work. 396716

หา Influencer
10 months ago

526864 147372Some genuinely great info , Gladiola I detected this. 259482

Politics

2027: ‘North Has No Reason to Break Agreement’ — Gov Yusuf Backs Tinubu

Published

on

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, arguing that the North should respect an alleged power-sharing agreement between northern and southern political leaders.

Yusuf made the declaration at the unveiling of the Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) National Headquarters in Abuja, where he pledged 100 per cent Northern support for Tinubu in the next presidential election.

SEE ALSO: DPRP’s Free Fuel Delivery Expands to Kano, Imo, Nearly 10 More States

The governor cited an alleged agreement reached in 1999 under which the North and South would take turns to produce Nigeria’s president, with the North allowed to serve two consecutive terms.

He referenced the eight years served by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who governed Nigeria for two consecutive terms before Tinubu assumed office in 2023.

According to Yusuf, the North should respect the arrangement rather than seek to produce another presidential candidate in 2027.

“For me, and for every right-thinking Nigerian, especially for us here in the North, we don’t have any reason, we don’t have any cause to now contribute on that premise, even though not constitutionally,” he said.

“Common sense dictates that we have to respect this mutual agreement.”

Yusuf subsequently declared his support for Tinubu on behalf of the northern states and what he described as patriotic Northerners.

“I therefore, on behalf of all the northern states, on behalf of all Democrats, on behalf of all patriotic northern states, indigenous, we want to assure His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu of our full support one hundred percent,” the governor said.

He also urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to openly support the president and work together towards victory in the 2027 election.

“We have all agreed we are members of the APC, and therefore we must work together to ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his vice president emerge victorious,” Yusuf said.

The governor further called on party members to extend similar support to members of the National Assembly, state governors and members of state assemblies.

He congratulated the organisers of the event and wished participants well.

 

Continue Reading

Politics

‘Nigeria Is Doomed Under Tinubu’ — Kenneth Okonkwo Backs Atiku for 2027

Published

on

Kenneth Okonkwo has declared that Nigeria is “doomed under Tinubu” while urging Nigerians to support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election.

Okonkwo made the remarks in a statement shared on X on Saturday, October 17, in which he criticised President Bola Tinubu’s performance, citing the proposed 12-state presidential campaign tour, the country’s corruption ranking and the Federal Government’s debt-servicing costs.

He described Tinubu’s planned campaign coverage as an “F” performance, noting that the President would campaign in only 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

SEE ALSO: 2027: ADC Chieftain Warns Kenneth Okonkwo Against ‘Insulting’ Remarks on Amaechi

“This is about 30% coverage of the entire Nigeria. This is an ‘F’ performance by Tinubu,” he said.

Okonkwo also criticised Tinubu for allegedly failing to grant regular interviews to independent media organisations or participate in a national debate with opposition candidates.

He argued that the President had not adequately engaged Nigerians directly to explain his plans and policies, describing him as an “absentee President” and questioning his suitability for re-election.

The former spokesperson for the Labour Party presidential campaign also cited Nigeria’s position in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, stating that the country ranked 142nd out of 182 countries, with a score of 26 out of 100.

He described the ranking as another “F” performance under Tinubu’s administration.

On the economy, Okonkwo claimed that Nigeria was “technically bankrupt,” citing figures he said showed that the Federal Government spent ₦7.7 trillion on interest payments in the first half of 2026, compared with total revenue of ₦6.2 trillion.

According to him, interest payments exceeded government revenue by ₦1.5 trillion during the period.

Okonkwo further accused Tinubu of failing to achieve 30 per cent in his administration’s undertakings, describing the government as an “F” government.

He urged Nigerians to support Atiku in the 2027 presidential election, crediting the former vice president’s time in office with helping Nigeria exit its international debt through what he described as prudent management of national resources.

Okonkwo also defended Atiku’s position on fuel subsidies, arguing that the former vice president’s government had maintained fuel subsidies that made life more affordable for Nigerians.

He said Atiku had promised to restore a production-based petroleum subsidy to reduce the cost of refining fuel and make refined petroleum products more affordable.

The statement comes amid preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with political parties and opposition figures intensifying their criticism of the Tinubu administration.

Continue Reading

Politics

‘The Entire North Has Made Up Its Mind for Tinubu’ — APC Chieftain

Published

on

All zones in Northern Nigeria have made up their minds to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, according to All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Sola Ebiseni.

Ebiseni made the claim during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he argued that Northern political interests were already looking beyond the 2027 election towards 2031.

According to him, the North has effectively conceded the next presidential election to Tinubu and is looking ahead to the possibility of power returning to the region in 2031.

SEE MORE: ‘Tinubu Has Procured Proxies’ — Sam Amadi on President’s 2027 Campaign Strategy

“As I tell you from our own research, every zone of the North is looking forward to 2031. They’ve conceded 2027 to Tinubu, the Southwest, of course,” Ebiseni said.

When asked about the basis of his assertion, Ebiseni maintained that the North had settled on supporting the President.

“The entire North has made up its mind for Tinubu,” he said.

During the discussion, Ebiseni was confronted with a contrasting projection that at least 10 of the 19 Northern states would support Tinubu, but he maintained that the entire North had made up its mind in favour of the President.

Ebiseni defended his position, saying it was based on research conducted by organisations to which he belonged, although he did not provide specific details of the research during the interview.

He also argued that Northern Nigeria should not be treated as a politically uniform region, pointing to differences between the Middle Belt, Northwest and Northeast.

“The destiny of the Middle Belt is different from the destiny of the Northwest. It’s different from the destiny of the Northeast, where the current Vice President comes from. And that is going to play out in 2027,” he said.

Ebiseni identified security as a major consideration for voters in Northern Nigeria, arguing that the establishment of state police would strengthen internal security arrangements.

He acknowledged that security efforts under the Tinubu administration could never be sufficient on their own, but maintained that state police would give individual states greater capacity to address security challenges.

“One of the efforts is state police, so that each state will have the capacity for internal security,” he said.

He also questioned the positions of other presidential aspirants on state police, asking how many had openly expressed support for the proposal.

Ebiseni further criticised proposals to restore fuel subsidies, questioning the economic implications of returning to the policy.

His comments come amid political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election, with parties and political figures seeking to consolidate support across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

 

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.

3
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x