Tax reform bills dead on arrival at National Assembly – Ndume

The Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has said the tax reform bills sent by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly were dead on arrival.

Ndume urged the President to listen to the National Economic Council, NEC and the Northern Governors’ Forum and immediately withdraw the bills.

The lawmaker said this on Tuesday in Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

According to him, the Federal Government should look for ways to reduce and not increase the tax burden on Nigerians.

“If it continues like this, I can tell you it will be dead on arrival. We don’t need to study the accounts. Let people live first before you start asking for taxes.

“The general point is that Nigerians are now unwilling to talk about or pay taxes given the (economic) situation we are in now.

“Nigerians are willing to pay taxes, but they can only pay taxes if they can afford it. Right now, people are struggling to survive. Let people live first before asking them for taxes,” he added.

Ndume said Tinubu government should reform itself and not increase taxes paid by Nigerians.

The tax reform bills sent to the National Assembly have faced scathing criticism, with the 36 state governors asking the President to withdraw the bills from the legislature.

However, the President emphasized that the bills will not be withdrawn, but lawmakers can provide input and necessary changes.