President Bola Tinubu has made it clear that the tax reform bills will not be withdrawn from the National Assembly, despite the controversy surrounding them.
Instead, he wants the bills to go through the legislative process, allowing for input and modifications along the way.
This decision comes after the National Economic Council (NEC) recommended withdrawing the bills for further consultation.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement.
According to the statement, President Bola Tinubu “received the National Economic Council’s recommendation that the tax reform bills already sent to the National Assembly be withdrawn for further consultation.”
The Nigerian leader also commended the National Economic Council members, especially Vice President Kashim Shettima and the 36 state governors, for their advice.
“He believes that the legislative process, which has already begun, provides an opportunity for inputs and necessary changes without withdrawing the bills from the National Assembly.
“While urging the NEC to allow the process to take its full course, President Tinubu welcomes further consultations and engagement with key stakeholders to address any reservations about the bills while the National Assembly considers them for passage.
“When President Tinubu set up the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform in August 2023, he had only one objective: to reposition the economy for better productivity and efficiency and make the operating environment for investment and businesses more conducive. This objective remains more critical even today than ever before,” the statement read.
