A non-political group under the Southern Borno Concerned Citizens has expressed shock and disappointment over Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno’s endorsement of the controversial Tax Reform Bills, recently presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu.
The bills in question include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, and the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, aimed at repealing the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act to establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, as well as the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.
The bills have already passed their second reading in the National Assembly.
The proposed reforms have faced widespread criticism, particularly from the Nigerian Governors Forum, the National Economic Council, and the North East Governors Forum, chaired by Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State.
Additionally, several senators, including Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume of Borno South, have opposed the bills, arguing that they are detrimental to the Nigerian people and would worsen the already challenging economic conditions.
During a recent Plenary session, Senator Monguno, who is also the Chief Whip, argued in support of the bills, claiming that they would reduce the economic and tax burden on Nigerians.
He emphasized that the proposed reforms would exempt food, education, electricity, and pharmaceutical companies from the Value Added Tax.
In a statement released on Friday, the SBCC’s National Chairman and Spokesperson, Comrade Bulama Sawa, acknowledged the efforts of President Tinubu in advancing his Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in areas such as the removal of the fuel subsidy, attempts to stabilize the naira against the dollar, and efforts to improve the country’s business environment.
However, the group urged the President to reconsider the controversial tax reforms, as many experts have expressed concern that their passage would exacerbate the economic hardship currently affecting Nigerians.
The statement reads: ” We want to express shock and our displeasure over the position of Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC Borno North) for endorsing the controversial Tax Reform Bills sent to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Although we are very much aware that the said Bills have passed second reading at the national assembly, let us commend and aligned with Nigerian Governors Forum, National Economic Council Meeting, North East Governors Forum under the chairmanship of Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC Borno South), many senators, Area Consultative Forum (ACF) and traditional rulers who have voiced their concern that the Bills are anti-people, and if passed into Law, will add to the current economic hardship faced by resilient Nigerians.
” We equally commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for doing his best in the ongoing implementation of his Renewed Hope Agenda after removal of fuel subsidy, attempt to float the naira against the dollar at the foreign exchange market and rejigging the business climate of the country. But we appealed to Mr. President to withdraw the Bills before the national assembly, as many pundits have expressed worry that if the Bills are passed and signed into Law, it will add salt to the injury”. The Group lamented.
The SBCC expressed particular dismay at Senator Monguno’s stance on the bills, given his long tenure in the National Assembly and current role as Chief Whip in the 10th Assembly. The group condemned Monguno’s support for the tax reforms, asserting that his position was detrimental to the people of his constituency and Nigerians at large.
The group also praised Senator Ndume for his continued vocal opposition to the tax bills, as well as Senators Kaka Shehu Lawan of Borno Central, Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central, and other prominent figures who have spoken out against the proposed reforms.
Furthermore, Governor Zulum, in a recent interview with BBC Hausa, also criticized the push to pass the tax bills into law. He urged President Tinubu, the National Assembly, and their supporters to reconsider their position, pointing out that approximately 60% of the votes that brought Tinubu to power came from the northern region, and such measures could risk alienating this critical voter base.
