By Mark Mayah
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the National Assembly to exercise caution while deliberating on the Tax Reform Bills submitted by President Bola Tinubu.
He emphasized the need for a tax regime that ensures fairness and equity without deepening the disparities in development among Nigeria’s federating units.
Atiku, who contested as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, expressed his views in a tweet on Sunday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
He stated, “I have followed the intense public discourse on the Tax Reform Bills with keen interest. Nigerians are united in their call for a fiscal system that promotes justice, fairness, and equity. They are loud and clear that the fiscal system we seek to promote must not exacerbate the uneven development of the federating units by enhancing the status of a few states while unduly penalizing others.”
The former Vice President urged objectivity and transparency in the public hearings organized by the National Assembly, stressing the importance of inclusivity in policy-making processes.
“As a concerned stakeholder, I firmly believe that transparency and objectivity are essential for promoting accountability, good governance, and public trust in policy-making. The public hearing process must facilitate open and inclusive participation by all stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations, traditional institutions, politicians, public officials, and subject matter experts,” he noted.
Atiku also called on the National Assembly to revisit and publish the resolutions of the National Economic Council (NEC), describing it as a critical advisory body with constitutional authority on economic affairs.
He concluded by urging lawmakers to align the final contents of the Tax Reform Bills with the interests of the majority of Nigerians.
“The NASS must be appropriately guided and ensure that in the final analysis, the contents of the Bills align with the interests of the vast majority of Nigerians,” Atiku said.
The Tax Reform Bills have sparked widespread public debate, with various stakeholders urging the government to adopt a system that promotes equity and sustainable development.
