Tax Reform Bill: No Region Will Be Shortchanged, Shehu Sani Tells Northerners

Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has stated that the proposed tax reforms by the President Bola Tinubu administration will not shortchange any region in the country.

Contrary to the views held by some northern political leaders, Sani said the new tax reform Bill will be economically beneficial to all parts of the country.

Last week, northern governors called on President Tinubu to withdraw the tax reform bill currently at the National Assembly and conduct further consultations for amendment, arguing that certain provisions in the legal document are inimical to the interest of the region. In a communiqué signed by the Northern Governors’ Forum chairman and governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, the governors specifically stated that the derivation model adopted for the distribution of revenue from Value added Tax (VAT) will not be in the interest of the region.

Also, some lawmakers and religious leaders supported the stance of the governors on the bill. Former Chief Whip and Senator Representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, in an interview kicked against the tax proposal.

The view of the northern governors and other political leaders on the tax was reechoed by the National Economic Council which urged Tinubu to withdraw the bill for further consultation with stakeholders across the country.

READ ALSO: Fresh Hurdle For Tax Reform Bill As Northern Governors Reject Proposal 

However, President Tinubu rejected the recommendation insisting that the bill should go through legislative process. The president stated that the reform will overhaul tax system in the country for efficiency and better outcome.

Sani maintained that the tax reform is not in any way against the north.

“The Tax reform Bill is not inimical to the North or any part of this country. It is in fact economically beneficial and fair to all parts,” Sani stated.

The former lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial district 2015 – June 2019, called on people to carefully read the proposed bill to see the benefits and the need to pass it into law.

“People should keep aside sentiments and read the Bill carefully. It is a comprehensive and bold move to harmonise and simplify tax administration and streamline its operations and enforcement.

“The Bill will actually generate and safeguard more revenue to the will also combat the corruption in the so called tax waivers granted to business cabals. There is nowhere in the document where any region will be shortchanged or taxes will be increased or jobs will be lost.

“Northern Governors should rescind their decision to reject the Bill, take time to read it and make inputs where necessary.”

He further urged the National Assembly to consider the Bill as an important one and give it a serious attention.