Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the National Assembly to approach the Tax Reform Bills submitted by President Bola Tinubu with caution, emphasizing the need for a fair and equitable fiscal system.
Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), expressed his views in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.
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He highlighted concerns that the proposed tax reforms could deepen disparities among Nigeria’s federating units.
“I have followed the intense public discourse on the Tax Reform Bills with keen interest. Nigerians are united in their call for a fiscal system that promotes justice, fairness, and equity,” Atiku stated. “The fiscal system we seek to promote must not exacerbate the uneven development of the federating units by enhancing the status of a few states while unduly penalizing others.”
He stressed the importance of transparency and inclusivity during the public hearings organized by the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to ensure open participation from all stakeholders.
“The public hearing process must facilitate open and inclusive participation by all stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations, traditional institutions, politicians, public officials, and subject matter experts,” he added.
Atiku also called for the publication of the resolutions of the National Economic Council (NEC), describing the council as a vital advisory body on economic issues. He insisted that the National Assembly should align the final content of the bills with the interests of the majority of Nigerians.
“The NASS must be appropriately guided and ensure that in the final analysis, the contents of the Bills align with the interests of the vast majority of Nigerians,” he noted.
