Reps to hold special session on tax reform bills Tuesday

The house of representatives will hold a special session on the tax reform bills on Tuesday.

Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house, made the announcement during Thursday’s plenary after over two hours of an executive session.

Kalu said the lawmakers discussed the tax reform bills during the closed-door, adding that it is an ongoing conversation.

“We will have a special session over the tax bill on Tuesday,” he said.

“This conversation is going to continue from now till Tuesday when we will invite these resource persons to be here to engage us. Thereafter we will decide which way to go.”

The proposed legislation which includes the Nigeria tax bill, the tax administration bill, and the joint revenue board establishment bill — has faced pushback, particularly from the north.

The bills passed second reading at the senate on Thursday.

BACKGROUND

On October 3, President Bola Tinubu asked the national assembly to consider and pass four tax reform bills.

On October 28, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) opposed the bills, saying the proposed legislations would harm the region’s interests.

The governors asked the national assembly to reject the bills, demanding equitable and fair implementation of national policies and programmes across all regions.

The national economic council (NEC) also asked Tinubu to withdraw the bills to give room for consultations.

On November 1, Tinubu said the bills will not be withdrawn from the national assembly, noting that the proposed laws were designed to improve the lives of Nigerians and optimise existing tax frameworks.

Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, said the bills were an attempt to “colonise the north”.