Northern leaders have expressed displeasure over President Bola Tinubu’s declaration that there will be no reversal on the controversial tax reform bills.
The leaders, comprising members of the National Assembly, the League of Northern Democrats, and the Northern Elders’ Forum, criticised the President’s firm position, describing it as unilateral and devoid of inclusive consultations.
During his maiden media chat held on Monday in Lagos, the President acknowledged that the bills might not be embraced by everyone, but maintained that there was no turning back on them.
He added that the tax reform bills were necessitated by the need to eliminate colonial-based assumptions in the nation’s tax environment.
Speaking to newsmen the lawmaker representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District, Senator Mohammed Onawo, said the President must allow National Assembly members to perform their duties without undue interference from other arms of government.
He emphasised the importance of adhering to due legislative procedures, noting that, as a former legislator, the President should respect the established process.
Onawo stated, “If the President, who was once a legislator, is passing judgment on bills that are before the National Assembly, it is unfortunate.
Also commenting on the issue, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, who represented Sokoto East in the 9th Assembly, accused Tinubu of playing “politics of tribalism” with the tax reform bills.
According to him, the President cannot unilaterally implement the bills without legislative approval.
On its part, the Northern Elders’ Forum said Tinubu’s declaration that the “tax reform bills are here to stay” undermined the principle of democracy.
Commenting on Tinubu’s declaration, the League of Northern Democrats cautioned the President against rigidity on issues affecting the general welfare of citizens.
