Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has clarified his reasons for advocating the withdrawal of the contentious tax reform bills proposed by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
During a media briefing about the position of the National Economic Council (NEC) regarding the proposed legislation, Makinde faced criticism from various members of the public for opposing the tax reforms. In response, he emphasized the importance of concentrating on the issues at hand rather than directing attention to the individuals raising them.
In a recent media chat with the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) in Ibadan, Makinde stated that he is not fundamentally against the tax reform bills. Rather, he believes that the Federal Government should engage a broader range of stakeholders to facilitate effective reform.
“At the NEC meeting, I inquired about the status of the bill, and the Chair of the Presidential Task Force informed us it had already been sent to the National Assembly. I questioned why we were being asked to debate and approve something that was already in progress, as it seemed to put the cart before the horse.
“We reached a unanimous agreement at the NEC to request the withdrawal of the bill from the National Assembly. We emphasized the need for more extensive consultations. If there are concerns or reservations from various parties, it’s essential to address them as this is a national matter. By doing so, we can adjust the bill as necessary to reflect stakeholders’ input.
“I was invited to join the group briefing the media, and my role was to articulate our recommendation for the bill’s withdrawal to allow for further consultations. Unfortunately, some individuals chose to focus on who delivered the message rather than the message itself,” he explained.
