Southeast Senators Take Stand on Controversial Tax Reform Bills, Call for Wider Consultations

The Southeast Senate caucus has expressed its support for the Tax Reform Bills currently before both chambers of the National Assembly, while also calling for wider consultations before their final consideration and passage.

In a statement made after a closed-door meeting held on Monday, December 9, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the leader of the Southeast caucus, explained that senators from the region are not opposed to the bills, but believe more engagement is necessary to gather input from their constituents and other key stakeholders.

Abaribe emphasized the need to consult with the 15 Senatorial Districts in the Southeast, as well as state governments and other influential groups, to ensure the bills are comprehensive and fair. He assured that the senators had reviewed the bills and were committed to making sure the concerns of the Southeast were addressed in any eventual legislation.

The Tax Reform Bills, which include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill 2024, Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill 2024, and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill 2024, have sparked widespread debate since President Bola Tinubu presented them to the National Assembly on October 3, 2024. While the Presidency and the South-South caucus are pushing for the bills to be considered promptly, other groups such as the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Northern Senators, and the Arewa Consultative Forum are calling for more in-depth consultations before moving forward with the process.