Musings on tax reforms, EFCC’s claim and our national drama

I was thinking about what to write this week as there are myriad issues to discuss, and I didn’t know how to put my thoughts together. The contentious tax reform issues have refused to go away. Nobody likes taxes. Not now, not ever. Even in biblical times, tax collectors were about as popular as a snake at a garden party.

Our history is replete with tax-related rebellions – remember the Aba Women’s Riots of 1929 or Funmilaye Ransome-Kuti’s fierce resistance against colonial tax impositions? Taxes have always been a powder keg of national tension.

The current tax reforms debate? Classic Nigerian drama. What should be a technical economic discussion has predictably devolved into another north versus south slugfest. Trust us to turn everything into a regional wrestling match.

The National Economic Council’s advice to President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the tax reform bill? Pure political theatre. The president, feeling his presidential ego slightly bruised, doubled down. “This bill is going to the national assembly,” he essentially said. And just like that, we’re in another standoff.

But here’s the real gist – this isn’t about the tax bill. This is about trust. Or the complete lack of it. Our governors don’t trust the president. The president doesn’t trust the governors. And we, the citizens, are left watching this political soap opera.

Let’s break this down. What exactly are we fighting about? The proposed tax reforms aim to restructure our revenue collection system, supposedly to make it more efficient and transparent. But efficiency and transparency are rare commodities in our political landscape.

Small and medium enterprises are drowning under a suffocating tax regime. In Abuja, some business owners are paying up to 25 different taxes. Twenty-five! Imagine trying to run a business when nearly a quarter of your potential earnings go towards satisfying bureaucratic tax hunger. How are entrepreneurs supposed to survive, let alone thrive?

The irony is rich. We claim to want economic growth and to support small businesses, yet our tax system is designed like a predatory monster, ready to devour any emerging economic shoot. It’s like planting a seed and then wondering why nothing grows when you’ve created a landscape hostile to growth.

Our political leaders seem more interested in scoring regional points than solving actual economic challenges. The north versus south narrative is a convenient distraction from the real issue – our broken economic system.

I’ve got a radical suggestion: How about we act like adults? Crazy concept, I know.

The tax reforms, if implemented thoughtfully, could be a game-changer. But thoughtfulness is in short supply in our political corridors. What we need is a political solution. Not grandstanding, not ethnic chest-thumping. Real, pragmatic dialogue.

And while we’re discussing national dramas, let’s talk about the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) latest spectacle – 753 duplexes seized in Abuja. Talk about creating a media circus.

The EFCC announces this massive seizure and then… nothing. No names. No details. Just a vague claim about “unclaimed” properties. Are we supposed to believe that 753 duplexes just materialised out of thin air? That no one knows anything?

This is not transparency. This is performance. If the EFCC wants credibility, they need to do better. Either provide comprehensive details or keep their investigations private until they’re ready for a proper reveal.

Our institutions seem more interested in making headlines than doing actual, thorough work. We demand better. Nigerians deserve better.

Consider the context. These 753 duplexes represent more than just real estate. They symbolise the massive wealth disparities in our country. While millions struggle to afford basic housing, someone or some group has accumulated hundreds of luxury apartments. And yet, we’re told no one knows who owns them?

The EFCC’s approach smacks of theatrical investigation. It’s like catching a thief and then refusing to reveal their identity. What’s the point? Are we supposed to be impressed by the seizure alone? Nigerians want substance, not showmanship.

These are serious times that require serious minds. Our economic challenges won’t be solved by regional mudslinging or half-baked media announcements. We need nuanced policy-making, genuine dialogue, and a commitment to national progress.

The tax reforms have potential. The EFCC’s work is crucial. But execution matters. Details matter. Transparency matters.

We’re at a critical juncture. Our economy is fragile. Unemployment is high. Inflation is eating away at citizens’ purchasing power. These tax reforms could be a lifeline or another nail in the economic coffin.

It’s time our leaders understood this.

Less drama, more substance. Less posturing, more problem-solving.

We need leaders who see beyond their ethnic enclaves, who understand that economic progress transcends regional boundaries.

The tax reform debate and the EFCC’s property seizure are more than just news items. They’re reflections of our national character – our struggles, our potential, and unfortunately, our propensity for self-sabotage.

It’s time to change the narrative. It’s time to prioritise national interest over personal and regional egos.

It’s time to get serious.

That’s not too much to ask, is it?