The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for what it described as a troubling disregard for patriotic voices opposing the proposed tax reforms.
In a statement issued by its chairman, A.M. Al-Amin Daggash, the NEF urged the government to halt the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly, citing concerns over fairness, economic impact, and inadequate stakeholder consultation.
“The rush to implement these tax reforms is unnecessary,” Daggash said. “The government must prioritize dialogue, quality contributions, and critical inputs from Nigerians before making any decisions.”
The forum expressed strong opposition to the proposed increase in Value Added Tax (VAT), warning that such a move could erode purchasing power, fuel inflation, and drive up interest rates. Daggash argued that these measures should be postponed until the administration demonstrates tangible signs of economic recovery.
The NEF also criticized the proposed VAT revenue-sharing formula, calling it unjust to states that generate significant VAT revenue. “VAT should be allocated based on consumption to ensure fairness to the contributing states,” Daggash said.
Furthermore, the forum accused the administration of using coercive tactics to suppress dissenting opinions. “The government has shown a troubling disregard for patriotic voices and a tendency to suppress opposition,” Daggash noted.
While supporting tax reforms that align with global best practices, the NEF stated that the current bills fail to meet the standards of transparency and inclusivity necessary for effective policy-making.
The forum called on the federal government to revisit the reforms and adopt an approach that reflects the interests and contributions of all Nigerians. It emphasized the importance of broader consultations to design a more inclusive and fair implementation strategy.
