- Former VP Stresses Inclusivity in Public Hearing Process
- Nigerians Demand a Fair Fiscal System Amid Tax Reform Debate
- Calls for NASS to Align Bills with Public Interest
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the National Assembly to prioritize equity, fairness, and inclusivity in its deliberations on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills.
Speaking through his official X handle on Sunday, Atiku emphasized that Nigerians are united in their demand for a fiscal system that fosters justice and avoids deepening the nation’s uneven development.
“I have followed the intense public discourse on the Tax Reform Bills with keen interest,” he stated. “Nigerians are loud and clear that the fiscal system we seek to promote must not exacerbate the uneven development of the federating units by enhancing the status of a few states while unduly penalizing others.”
The four tax reform bills, which include the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill and the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, passed their second reading in the Senate last Thursday. They have been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance for further legislative review, including a public hearing.
Critics of the bills argue that they disproportionately favor certain regions at the expense of others. However, proponents counter that many criticisms stem from misinformation.
Atiku refrained from taking a definitive stance on the bills but stressed the importance of transparency in the legislative process. “The public hearing process must facilitate open and inclusive participation by all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, traditional institutions, and subject matter experts,” he wrote.
He also urged lawmakers to revisit and publicize the resolutions of the National Economic Council (NEC), which he described as a key stakeholder with a constitutional advisory role on economic affairs.
Atiku called for objectivity and accountability in the proceedings, stating that this approach would build public trust and ensure that the final bills align with the interests of the majority of Nigerians.
While the Senate has made progress in advancing the bills, the House of Representatives is yet to commence its second reading. Public hearings, which are a critical component of the legislative process, have yet to be scheduled, leaving room for further debate and recommendations.
The outcomes of these hearings will shape the final decision-making process in both chambers, as lawmakers deliberate on each clause to ensure the bills serve the nation’s best interests.
