The President Tinubu administration has been advised to follow the due process and not rush the passage of the Tax Reform Bills into law.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and other discussants who spoke on Thisday Live, an Arise TV talkshow, yesterday berated the Federal Government for not consulting adequately before presenting the proposal to the national assembly.
The panelists wondered why, for instance, neither the Council of State nor the Nigerian Governors Forum was consulted, seeing as the reform has implications for constitutional review.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Rejects NEC’s Advice, Won’t Withdraw Tax Reform Bills
The programme which was anchored by Dr. Reuben Abati also featured Barr Jide Ologun and human rights activist, Opeyemi Adamoleku, Executive Director, Enough is Enough.
Senator Kalu said the “Federal Government erred by not seeking the buy-in of the Council of State, the Governors Forum and the public before coming up with the bill.”
He remarked that the Presidency even had to break ranks when it disagreed openly with the National Economic Council (NEC) that is chaired by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, when the body called for caution.
He explained that it is for that it was for those reasons that he supports the position canvassed by Senator Ali Ndume and some other northern Senators who called for more time for consultations and consensus building.
Senator Kalu commended the stance of senator Ndume because, as he argued, “that’s what democracy is all about.”
Sen. Kalu was however, optimistic that all the grey areas of the Bills will be cleaned up during the public hearing, even as Dr. Abati wondered if there would be a “proper public hearing that can pass the integrity test.”
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Regarding the accusation by some analysts that President Tinubu has a “Lagosnisation Agenda.” By which they imply that the Bills and other policies of the government are geared towards empowering Lagos, the home state of the President, Senator Kalu replied:
“The bill is very progressive and brings back Fiscal Federalism. There will be no kangaroo public hearing. Any part of the bill that conflicts with our constitution will not fly.”
According to him, “Tinubu needs to work on the integration of the country.”
In her reaction, Ms. Adamolekun said, regardless of the nobility or otherwise of the proposed tax laws, since it relates to constitutional amendment, it should have been passed through the Council of States and subjected to a thorough engagement with the people.
She added that not doing so gave rise to the present emotive outbursts on the matter.
READ ALSO: Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills: The Beginning of Fiscal Federalism?
On his part, Barr Jide Ologun said he aligns with the northern senators and governors that aspects of the laws have the potency to pauperise the people, if implemented as proposed, even though it is an aspect of fiscal federalism.
He argues that “our ultimate consideration should be the national interest.”
He contends however, that the speed at which the Bills are being processed is a bit too much. He admonished that the government should “consider the interest of the nation before you do this, because the country is in dire need.”
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