Northern Coalition Urges Immediate Withdrawal of Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills, Citing Socioeconomic Threats
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), joined by 134 civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), has called for the immediate withdrawal of President Tinubu’s proposed Tax Reform Bills, labeling them a serious threat to Nigeria’s socioeconomic stability, particularly in the northern region.
This call was made following a town hall meeting held in Gombe on Monday, which was centered around the theme: “Tax Reform Bills: A Catalyst for Economic Growth or a Burden on the People?” The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders who expressed grave concerns about the potential consequences of the proposed reforms on the already fragile northern economy.
Comrade Muhammed Sanusi Ali, speaking on behalf of the coalition, outlined the negative impacts the reforms would have on the North, including exacerbating poverty, imposing higher financial burdens on businesses and citizens, and further marginalizing the region. The communique emphasized that the proposed tax changes would worsen economic disparities and undermine the prospects for the region’s growth.
A significant point of contention raised during the meeting was the proposed amendment to the Value Added Tax (VAT) distribution formula, which participants argued unfairly benefits certain regions while placing an additional burden on the North.
The discussion also highlighted concerns over the proposed defunding of critical agencies such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). These organizations play a crucial role in fostering development in education, technology, and innovation in the North, and participants warned that undermining them would weaken the region’s ability to compete effectively at the national level.
The meeting further flagged concerns about the vague and unclear language in the proposed tax reforms, particularly terms like “derivation,” “family wealth,” and “ecclesiastic.” The ambiguity in these terms raised fears of arbitrary interpretations, which could complicate enforcement and lead to policy incoherence.
In response, the communique called for the immediate withdrawal of the tax reform bills and urged more inclusive consultations with stakeholders to create tax policies that better reflect the realities of all Nigerians.
CNG and its allies also appealed to Northern lawmakers to strongly oppose the proposed reforms, warning that failure to address the concerns raised could destabilize the region further and widen the existing economic divide.
The Federal Government has yet to issue a response to the demands and criticisms presented at the town hall meeting.
