Opposition to the proposed Tax Reform Bills in the National Assembly is growing across Northern Nigeria, with rising anger over the legislation, which critics claim threatens the region’s economic future.
Yesterday, northern youths launched a direct attack on Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin, accusing him of disregarding the region’s interests.
Representing 19 northern states, the youths condemned the bills as anti-North, warning they would further marginalize the region economically. They asserted that Senator Jibrin, who represents Kano North, is aware the bills will not benefit his constituents or the broader northern population.
Since President Bola Tinubu introduced the proposed laws to the National Assembly, lawmakers from the North have expressed concerns about their potential negative impact. The government has argued that the reforms aim to standardize tax administration, eliminate double taxation, promote private sector investment in key industries, and boost disposable income through targeted exemptions.
The four bills under scrutiny include:
The Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024 – SB.583
The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024 – SB.584
The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024 – SB.585
The Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024 – SB.586
Despite opposition from several lawmakers, the bills passed their second reading in the Senate last week. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele hailed the reforms as a significant step towards overhauling Nigeria’s tax system.
However, northern leaders remain united in their opposition, viewing the reforms as detrimental to the region’s socio-economic development. This opposition intensified after northern youths attacked Jibrin, particularly for presiding over the Senate session during the second reading of the bills.
A tense debate broke out during the plenary, with heated exchanges over the bills, which were not originally scheduled for discussion.
In an open letter, Ali Mohammed Idris and Abdulhafiz Garba, President and Secretary of the Northern Youth Assembly, expressed their deep dissatisfaction with Jibrin’s stance. They accused him of supporting a bill that would harm the North, further stifling its economic growth and exacerbating existing challenges.
The letter reads: “The Northern Youth Assembly, on behalf of the 19 northern states, wishes to express our unequivocal disappointment in you for pushing forward the second reading of an anti-North tax reform bill, which will undermine the region’s economic and commercial prospects.
“Your support for this bill shows a lack of sensitivity to the economic hardships faced by your constituency in Kano and the entire North. The bill will harm our people’s livelihoods and ignore the current economic struggles the country faces.”
The youths further criticized Jibrin for prioritizing his support for the tax reform over the pressing needs of his region, such as electricity shortages, insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and poor infrastructure. They urged him to focus on addressing these issues rather than advancing legislation that they view as detrimental to the North’s future.
The letter continues, “You were elected to advocate for the development of your region, not to serve an anti-North agenda. This tax reform will further burden Northern businesses and families, already struggling with poor infrastructure and government policies that hinder the region’s growth.”
The Northern Youth Assembly expressed their determination to oppose the tax reforms, vowing to expose those they view as betraying the region for political gain. They concluded their letter by warning Jibrin to reconsider his position before facing widespread opposition across the North.
“We will fight this cause to the end, and we will not trust political merchants who are willing to sacrifice the North’s future for cheap political gains,” the letter concluded. “The proposed tax reform is harmful, and that is why it was rejected by the National Economic Advisory Council and Northern governors. We urge you to change course before the people of the North unite against you.”
