Amid the debate on the Tax Reform Bills, the controversial tax reform bills, more stakeholders and organisations have differed over what those opposed to the bills as the potential danger in the reforms initiated by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
While the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) accused the critics of the bills of entrenching an unjust system based on the existing fiscal arrangement, the Coalition of Northern Groups said the proposed amendments of the existing tax laws are capable of worsening economic disequilibrium and tension in the country.
CUPP explained that it was in support of the Value Added Tax (VAT) Reform Bill because each state deserves its fair share of the amount it generates and contributes to the national pool.
The national spokesperson of the coalition, Comrade Mark Adebayo, while the Tinubu government’s economic reforms are not working in favour of regular Nigerians, the North shot itself on the foot by its discrimination against certain products.
According to him, “The contradiction in the northern opposition to the tax reform is glaring. While the Tinubu government’s so-called economic reforms are not working in favour of regular Nigerians, the North has shot itself on the foot by its discrimination against certain products.
“Moreover, it is my personal opinion that each state deserves its fair share of the VAT generated by it but can’t expect to share equally with states that generate lesser or more.
“The percentage must be in accordance with each state’s contribution to the national pool, methinks,” Adebayo said.
“Of course, I’ll consider that Governor Zulum of Bono State and Senator Ali Ndume are fighting for the entire North. That’s the idea.”
However, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) warned that the proposed changes in taxation could disproportionately favour more economically advanced states, leaving states in the North, including Gombe, at a disadvantage.
The Gombe State chapter of the CNG expressed serious concerns over the potential economic disparities and regional inequalities.
