Atiku Urges NASS to Revisit NEC Resolutions on Tax Reform Bills

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar calls on the National Assembly to reconsider the NEC’s resolutions on tax reform bills, emphasizing their impact on Nigerians.

Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President, has urged the National Assembly to review and disclose the resolutions made by the National Economic Council regarding the Tax Reform Bills.

The bills, which have sparked controversy since President Bola Tinubu submitted them to the National Assembly, passed their second reading in the Senate last week.

In a Sunday post on his X account, Atiku emphasized the importance of appropriately guiding the National Assembly to ensure that, ultimately, the Bills reflect the interests of most Nigerians.

“I urge the NASS to review and disclose the resolutions of the National Economic Council, a significant entity with constitutional authority to advise the President on national economic matters. It is crucial for NASS to be properly informed and ensure that ultimately, these Bills reflect the interests of most Nigerians,” part of the post stated.

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election stated that he has closely followed the vigorous public discussion surrounding the Tax Reform Bills. He observed that Nigerians are collectively advocating for a fiscal system rooted in justice, fairness, and equity.

He believes that Nigerians have clearly expressed that the fiscal system we aim to establish should not worsen the imbalanced development among federating units by advantaging a few states and unfairly disadvantaging others.

He also urged the House of Representatives to conduct its public hearing on the Tax Reform Bills with objectivity and transparency.

I urge for objectivity and transparency in the upcoming public hearing organized by our National Assembly representatives. As a concerned stakeholder, I strongly believe that these qualities are crucial for fostering accountability, good governance, and public trust in policy-making.

The public hearing process should encourage open and inclusive participation from all stakeholders, such as civil society organizations, traditional institutions, politicians, public officials, and subject matter experts.

READ ALSO: PHOTOS: Peter Obi Visits Atiku in Adamawa

NEC demands a withdrawal

The National Economic Council recommended that President Tinubu retract the bills following the controversies arising from their introduction.

The bill was submitted to NASS following the report and recommendations from the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, established by the President to enhance revenue generation in the country.

Nevertheless, the NEC unanimously urged for the bill to be withdrawn, emphasizing the necessity for adequate alignment among all stakeholders regarding the proposed reforms.

However, President Tinubu stated that the document would not be retracted from the National Assembly. Instead, he clarified that the bills should undergo the legislative process.

“Hasty efforts to push through bill”

Senator Ali Ndume, a prominent critic of the Tax Reform Bills, has consistently advocated for their withdrawal.

After the Senate passed the bills for a second reading last week, Ndume questioned why there was such haste in approving them. He encouraged President Tinubu to consider NEC’s advice and retract the bills.

“I’m not entirely suggesting that we discard everything without careful consideration. However, since our leaders—including the governors and the National Economic Council—as well as many other individuals have expressed similar views, it’s clear we’re not advocating for abandoning these bills altogether. The suggestion is to withdraw them temporarily, conduct more consultations, and then reintroduce them thoughtfully. Ndume pointed out there’s a sense of urgency here that’s quite suspicious.”