From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said that lawmakers will prioritise support for President Bola Tinubu and growing the economy in considering the tax reform bills before parliament.
Agbese told journalists that members of parliament see the four tax bills transmitted to the National Assembly recently by President Tinubu as crucial to growing the economy.
Consequently, he stated that lawmakers will support President Tinubu on the bills rather than side with governors who oppose the proposed legislation.
The President had in September transmitted four tax reform bills: the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.
Regardless, the 36 state governors have demanded the withdrawal of the bills to ensure more consultations with stakeholders. Nevertheless, the President rejected the governors’ demand.
Agbese stated that nobody can stop lawmakers from supporting the President’s efforts to “rebooting the economy to work for the country.” According to him, lawmakers are united across party lines to ensure the success of the country.
He said, “Some of these governors are threatening members from their states. They have even gone far to threaten that they would deny members a return ticket in 2027 if they support the bills.
“We were not elected by the governors but our constituents, and as far as the legislation (bills) will work for those that elected us, we will support it unequivocally, wholeheartedly, and powerfully to see the light of the day.
“We have made the bills available to every lawmaker to study, dissect and make inputs when we bring them up for debate,” he stated, adding that the proposed legislation is likely to scale through but with some amendments where necessary.
“I see the 10th House passing the bills with some minor adjustments to polish it with a touch of patriotism and intellectualism. That’s our usual trademark when you have a teacher leading a parliament anywhere in the world.”