By Ayomide Otitoju
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has called on Nigerians to approach the contentious Tax Reform Bills with objectivity and fairness. The bills, introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration and sent to the National Assembly, have sparked debate across the nation.
Critics claim the reforms disproportionately affect northern Nigeria and are poorly timed given the country’s economic challenges. Some have called for the bills to be reviewed further.
However, Dogara defended the initiative during a Channels Television Special Town Hall on the Tax Reform Bills aired Monday, urging Nigerians to evaluate their potential benefits without bias.
“We should remove the cap of regionalism, sectionalism, and religion, and put on the cap of leadership because that is what will resolve the quarrel that we have,” he stated.
Addressing Timing Concerns
Criticism has centered around the timing of the reforms, with inflation exceeding 30% and many Nigerians struggling to afford basic commodities. Dogara, however, dismissed this as a valid reason to discard the proposals.
“In leadership, when you talk about timing, the way I have heard them talk about it is a tragic misconception of the notion of time itself,” Dogara said. “There’s nothing like the future; there’s nothing like the past. All we have is now. It is what you are doing now that will affect your future.”
The former Speaker stressed that his focus is not on whether the reforms align with the president’s agenda but on their overall merits. “All I am bothered with as a leader is: is it the right thing?”
Consultation Criticisms
Dogara also addressed concerns about inadequate consultation with stakeholders, including state governors. He noted that some legislators seemed more aligned with governors’ positions than the national interest.
“I’ve heard even legislators speaking as if they were spokespersons for some governors’ forum instead of looking at what is right and offering solutions,” he said.
Dogara highlighted inconsistencies in governance, questioning how often state governors consult widely when making laws. “At the state level, how many people do governors consult when they are making laws? As a matter of fact, in some cases, state laws are written from the living rooms of governors,” he remarked.
The Tax Reform Bills are part of Tinubu’s broader fiscal policy agenda aimed at stabilizing Nigeria’s economy. Taiwo Oyedele, head of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, was also a panelist at the town hall event and is expected to address consultation concerns further.
