Senator Orji Kalu, Abia North senatorial representative, has revealed that the federal government made a mistake not to have carried the National Executive Council, Nigeria Governor’s Forum, and the Council of State along in its tax reform bills.
Kalu disclosed this on Monday in an interview with Arise Television on the controversial tax reform bills.
Recall that Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, the Northern Governor’s Forum, the National Economic Council, and others have openly opposed the tax reforms.
However, Orji noted that the bills are very progressive and would bring back fiscal federalism in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, he faulted the initiators of bills for not carrying key stakeholders along saying, “As I told you before, the bill is very progressive. It will bring back fiscal federalism. Many senators have not been briefed. I think the federal government made a mistake. The initiators of the bills would have briefed the National Economic Council, Governors’ forum”.
Recall tax reform bills, including the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, were sent to the National Assembly for passage since October 2024.
The bills gained momentum last week when they secured second-reading passage at the Senate.
This comes after the Northern Governor’s Forum and National Economic Council called for the bill’s withdrawal.
Meanwhile, economic experts have backed the tax reform bill on the grounds that it will boost Nigeria’s revenue.
However, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee had earlier in his contributions, explained why the tax bills generated so much controversy.
