Sen Abba Moro attributes opposition tax reform bills to political motives

• Criticisms of the tax reform bills have been ongoing since President Bola Tinubu submitted them to the national assembly.
• The bills have sparked intense debate, with northern stakeholders strongly opposed, citing potential economic implications.

Abba Moro, the minority leader of the senate, has said that the opposition to the proposed tax reform bills is driven by political motives.

Moro, who represents Benue south, expressed his views on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Thursday.

The senator said he is concerned that the tax bills have been politicized, and he’s asking for a more objective examination of the proposals.

According to Moro, the proposed legislations are intended to benefit Nigerians.

One of the main issues raised is the proposed changes to the value-added tax (VAT) distribution model, which critics argue could disadvantage some northern states.

Moro noted that some people are concerned that the current VAT distribution system may not be adequate under the proposed law.

In his words: “It is assumed that if you introduce derivation in sharing VAT, now, you’re going against the constitution because there is no constitutional provision for that,” Moro said.

“I dare want to say that it is the politicisation of this bill that is, in the first place, responsible for where we are now, so I don’t want to look at the political side of it,” he said.

“I think that by the time further advocacy and sensitisation is carried out, very many people who out of lack of understanding, apparently may have been kicking against this bill, will come to realise that the bill means well for the entirety of Nigeria.”

President Tinubu submitted the tax reform bills to the national assembly on October 3.

The bills include the Nigeria tax bill, Nigeria tax administration bill, Nigeria Revenue Service establishment bill, and the Joint Revenue Board establishment bill.

Tinubu also plans to repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and replace it with the Nigeria Revenue Service.

However, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) opposes the bills, citing potential harm to regional interests.

The governors asked the national assembly to reject any legislation that may marginalize any geopolitical zone.

The presidency assured northern governors that the tax reform bills were not intended to shortchange any part of the country.

Former speaker Yakubu Dogara advised northerners not to condemn Tinubu over the bills, seeing them as an opportunity rather than a disadvantage.