Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the National Assembly to ensure that the Tax Reform Bills align with the interests of the majority of Nigerians.
He made this call in a statement shared on his social media platform on Sunday, where he emphasised the need for a fiscal system that promotes justice, fairness, and equity.
Atiku stressed that the current Tax Reform Bills should not exacerbate the uneven development of states, and instead, should promote equal opportunities for all.
He also called for transparency and objectivity in the public hearing process, ensuring that all stakeholders, including civil society organisations and traditional institutions, are involved.
“I have followed the intense public discourse on the Tax Reform Bills with keen interest,” he said.
“Nigerians are united in their call for a fiscal system that promotes justice, fairness, and equity. They 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 penalising others.
“I call for objectivity and transparency in the conduct of the public hearing being organised by our representatives in the National Assembly. As a concerned stakeholder, I firmly believe that transparency and objectivity are essential for promoting accountability, good governance, and public trust in policy-making.”
He added, “The public hearing process must facilitate open and inclusive participation by all stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations, traditional institutions, politicians, public officials, and subject matter experts.”
Furthermore, Atiku urged the National Assembly to revisit and make public the resolutions of the National Economic Council, which has the constitutional power to advise the President on economic affairs.
This, he believes, will ensure that the Tax Reform Bills align with the interests of the vast majority of Nigerians.
“In this wise, I call on the NASS to revisit and make public the resolutions of the National Economic Council, a key stakeholder and an important organ of the state with the constitutional power to advise the President concerning the economic affairs of the Federation.
“The NASS must be appropriately guided and ensure that in the final analysis, the contents of the Bills align with the interests of the vast majority of Nigerians.”
