The Parliamentary Watch Initiative (PWI) has reaffirmed that the House of Representatives’ approval of a state of emergency in Rivers State was conducted transparently and aligned with standard legislative procedures. The advocacy group emphasized that the House fulfilled the necessary quorum before casting votes in favor of President Bola Tinubu’s proposal. PWI dismissed allegations that the resolution was hastily passed or manipulated. In an official statement on Monday, Dr. Matthew Gabriel, Executive Director of PWI, confirmed that an independent assessment conducted by the organization—known for its legislative monitoring—found that the entire process adhered to due process and legislative norms. “Following a thorough review of the parliamentary proceedings, we can confirm that the decision complied with established legislative best practices,” the statement noted. Dr. Gabriel also refuted claims that lawmakers were bribed to approve the emergency rule, labeling such accusations as unfounded attempts to discredit the National Assembly. “There is no evidence to suggest financial inducement was involved. The lawmakers acted with national security and stability in mind. The House of Representatives exhibited professionalism, patriotism, and a commitment to the rule of law,” he asserted. As a watchdog organization dedicated to legislative transparency, PWI reaffirmed its commitment to holding parliamentary activities accountable and ensuring that democratic values remain intact. “Our role is to safeguard democracy by ensuring that parliamentary actions remain lawful and free of undue influence. In this particular case, we found no evidence of misconduct,” Dr. Gabriel added. He urged Nigerians to trust their elected representatives and avoid misinformation designed to mislead the public about the National Assembly’s credibility. “The 10th House of Representatives has demonstrated its autonomy and dedication to Nigeria’s stability. Citizens should focus on verified facts rather than misinformation,” he emphasized. For a deeper understanding of parliamentary proceedings and emergency rule implications, refer to this external source for official legislative updates. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
The Northern Economic Development Forum has eased concerns raised by Northern governors over the new tax reform policies introduced by President Bola Tinubu, assuring that these reforms will benefit the northern region. Northern governors initially opposed the Tax Reform Bills, urging the National Assembly to reject them, arguing that the reforms might not align with the North’s interests. However, the development forum expressed confidence in the reform’s potential benefits, stating that the proposed tax laws aim to modernize and improve Nigeria’s tax system without adverse effects. President Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council recently introduced legislation to overhaul tax processes, unify revenue collection, and streamline financial obligations for both businesses and citizens. The Northern Economic Development Forum emphasized the importance of thoroughly understanding the proposed bills before opposing them. They announced plans for a comprehensive awareness campaign across the 19 northern states to rally support for the Tax Reform Bills, asserting that the reforms will drive progress in the North and benefit the entire country. In a statement signed by Dr. Mustapha Ibrahim Gusau, the forum explained critical elements of the four bills—the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act—highlighting that the reforms are intended to clear up misconceptions. READ ALSO: The forum clarified that the new tax policies are not designed to increase the number of taxes but rather to optimize current tax systems without adding complexity. It also stressed that: The Forum highlighted that these bills will harmonize tax laws, enhance efficiency, modernize the tax system, and strengthen coordination among revenue agencies. They are also expected to foster transparency, align with international standards, and expand the tax base. The forum called on Nigerians, particularly in the North, to support the reforms and avoid unnecessary alarm.
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President Bola Tinubu declared that the tax reform proposals would not be removed from the National Assembly notwithstanding the uproar surrounding them. This was revealed in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Advisor on Information and Strategy. Instead, he clarified that the proposals ought to pass the legislature. “The National Economic Council recommended that the tax reform bills already sent to the National Assembly be withdrawn for further consultation,” the statement said of President Bola Tinubu. The Nigerian leader also praised the recommendations given by the members of the National Economic Council, particularly Vice President Kashim Shettima and the 36 state governors. He feels that without rescinding the measures, the legislative process, which has already started, offers a chance for input and required modifications. from the National Assembly. President Tinubu welcomes more discussions and involvement with important stakeholders to allay any concerns over the legislation as the National Assembly considers them for passage, but he also urges the NEC to let the process run its course. President Tinubu had only one goal in mind when he established the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform in August 2023: to realign the economy for increased productivity and efficiency and create a more favorable business and investment climate. This goal is still more important now than it has ever been, the statement said. NEC Demands Tax Reform Bill WithdrawalNEC voiced concerns on Thursday on the Tax Reform Bill that President Bola Tinubu sent to the National Assembly. The Based on the findings and suggestions of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, which the President established to aid in increasing the nation’s revenue generation, the measure was sent to NASS. The NEC unanimously demanded that the bill be withdrawn. This was one of the decisions made at the NEC meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, which was presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima. Following the meeting, the governors briefed State House Correspondents, pointing out that the proposed reforms require enough agreement among the stakeholders. According to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who briefed reporters, NEC noted that sufficient consultations were required to gather the opinions of stakeholders, including state governors, in order to guarantee that the legislation is favorable. to every Nigerian. “The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms presented to NEC today. Fair taxes, prudent borrowing, and sustainable spending are their top priorities,” he stated. The Council recognized that the nation is underperforming on every metric, including the yield from its main sources of income, the tax to GDP ratio, and others. Following much discussion, NEC concluded that the suggested improvements require adequate agreement between and among the stakeholders. Therefore, the Council recommends that the tax reform bill now before the National Assembly be withdrawn in order to broaden consultations and foster agreement on these reforms for the good of the entire nation and to provide people with They should be aware of our goal and the direction we are taking with regard to tax reform, since there is a great deal of disinformation and misunderstanding,” Governor Makinde stated. Northern Governors Turn Down the BillThe action was taken just days after some of the proposals—most notably the VAT-sharing template in one of the bills—were rejected by the powerful Northern Governors’ Forum. Following a meeting in Kaduna, the northern governors came to this decision, calling for justice and equity. This is due to the fact that businesses pay VAT according to the location of their tax office and headquarters, not the location of the goods and services that are used. Given the aforementioned, the forum unanimously denounces the proposed Tax Amendments and urges National Assembly members to oppose any legislation that would endanger “the welfare of our people,” stated Inuwa Yahaya, the forum’s chairperson as well. To be clear, the Northern Governors’ Forum has nothing against policies or initiatives that promote the growth and development of the country. However, in order to guarantee that no geopolitical zone is overlooked or undervalued, the forum demands equity and fairness in the execution of all national policies and programs,” he stated. READ ALSO: Court approves N1.1 billion bail for 114 protesters charged with arson against public facilities. The governors that attended were Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Dauda Lawal Dare of Zamfara, and Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa. The deputy governors of the other governors represented them. Gombe State Governor Yahaya reading the statement declared during the conference that the tax proposals were not in the best interests of the North and gave northern lawmakers instructions to oppose them. We love to have you back, Kindly Subscribe to our NewsLetter.
