Home Politics Taiwo Oyedele defends nationwide consultations on tax reforms amid Northern governors’ opposition

Taiwo Oyedele defends nationwide consultations on tax reforms amid Northern governors’ opposition

Taiwo Oyedele tax reforms consultations
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Taiwo Oyedele responds to northern governors’ opposition to proposed tax reforms, defending nationwide consultations and engagement efforts.

 

 

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has stressed the importance of nationwide consultations on the proposed tax reforms, despite opposition from some northern governors.

Speaking on Arise Television on Sunday, Oyedele responded to claims that the committee had failed to adequately consult stakeholders, particularly governors, in the reform process.

 

Also read: New tax reforms will Not increase tax burden, says Onanuga

 

He revealed that several meetings with governors’ forums had been cancelled, but engagements with other government institutions, sectors, and individuals continued.

“We have more than 20 government institutions represented. We have the private sector, including manufacturers and women in business. We have 45 students from 22 universities across Nigeria,” Oyedele explained.

He went on to detail the committee’s outreach efforts, saying, “In addition to that, we had extensive engagement with the governors. I went to the governors’ forum.

We wrote and wanted to meet with six governors, one from each of the six geopolitical zones. Up until this moment, it’s only the governor of Lagos State we were able to meet.”

Oyedele’s comments come amid rising concerns from northern governors who argue that the proposed tax reforms, including changes to the Value Added Tax (VAT) system, could have a negative impact on their states’ revenue.

However, the tax reform committee chairman emphasised the need for a balanced and inclusive tax system to support the country’s long-term development.

“What they are disagreeing with is about one or two aspects,” Oyedele noted.

“How on earth would the solution to disagreeing with two sections of the law be to withdraw four bills that are transformative? Why don’t we discuss those things and present them to the lawmakers, and then they will make a final decision?”

In his remarks, Oyedele also highlighted the committee’s efforts to engage with diverse groups, including Muslim clerics and the League of Northern Democrats, to clarify misconceptions surrounding the proposed reforms.

“We had an interesting meeting with the Ulamas, mainly from the north. There were over 120 clerics.

After explaining everything to them, many were praying for the work we had done because there was a lot of misinformation before,” he said.

Despite the ongoing debate, Oyedele reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to addressing concerns and engaging with stakeholders to ensure a smooth and successful implementation of the reforms.

Earlier, during the same programme, northern politician Buba Galadima criticised the reform proposals, alleging that the bills were disproportionately beneficial to states like Ogun and Lagos, while leaving others at a disadvantage.

Galadima also accused members of the committee of disowning the report behind Oyedele, stating that some members felt left out of key decisions.

Oyedele’s defence underscores the importance of continued dialogue and transparency as Nigeria seeks to implement meaningful tax reforms for economic growth.

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