A member of the House of Representatives, Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin (Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency of Kano State), has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills will be passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.
Jibrin, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat, made the assertion on TVC’s “Politics Today” program on Sunday night.
According to Jibrin, President Tinubu’s tax reform bills and other economic policies are designed to benefit Nigerians in the long run. “I have never had any doubt about the consideration and passage of the Tax Reform Bills. We will pass the tax reform bills,” he said.
Jibrin acknowledged that there is a strong perception in the North that the reform bills are not in their favour. However, he emphasized that sensitization efforts are underway to educate people about the merits and necessity of the reforms.
The lawmaker pointed out that the tax reform bills have several advantages that outweigh their perceived disadvantages. “For those of us who have read through the bills very thoroughly, the aggregate of their advantages far surpassed whatever perceived disadvantages by anybody or part of the country,” he said.
“President Tinubu is not out for a battle on the bills just like the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), but for understanding their objectives and goals, which are all geared towards better revenue generation and distribution for economic survival of the country.
“Yes, there may be contentious clauses in the bills, but that should not mean that they should be thrown away or not considered by the National Assembly.
“Since the bills are already with us, the onus lies with both chambers to allow them pass through the required legislative processes which would pave way for amendment of contentious clauses, since they are not cast in stone in the first place.
“As I said a couple of days ago in a similar programme like this, many of those kicking against the bills, have not read them but are just listening to wrong narratives being reeled out by some other people,” he said.
Jibrin also commended President Tinubu’s commitment to economic reforms, citing the fuel subsidy removal and floating of the Naira as examples.
He believes that these reforms, along with the proposed tax reform, will transform the nation’s economy despite the current hardships.
“President Tinubu, to me, is giving his today for Nigerians’ tomorrow through the courageous and long-term result-oriented reforms being carried out now,” he said.
