Arewa Youths Concerned League Rejects Tax Bill Reform in Totality

Arewa Youths Concerned League Rejects Tax Bill Reform in Totality

Arewa Youths Concerned League (AYCL), has rejected in totality the new tax reform bills initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led government.

According to the League,it obvious that the tax reform bills are only going to be of personal interest to the President,and not to Nigerians, particularly the northern region.

In a press statement issue today,the leader of the league,Comrade Ibrahim Ahmadu, who expressed reservations about the bills insisted,”It is designed to affect the poor masses.”

On September 3, 2024, President Bola Tinubu transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration, following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms headed by Taiwo Oyedele for the review of existing tax laws.

The bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.

“The Derivative clause and the Value Added Tax, VAT, sharing formula have been major sources of conflict.
The other stumbling block to the tax bills has been alleged “ hidden agenda” especially in the timing and the haste with which the tax bills are being pushed through.”

While calling on all northerners to rise against what he described as “insensitive bills” , Ahmadu said Nigeria as a country has not grown to the stage where revenue generation is hinged on tax collection .

He further explained, “We have carefully studied the bills and discovered only fews States like Lagos will enjoy the reforms of the bills are signed into law.”

“Recalled that following criticisms and pressures on the tax reform bills forwarded to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu for consideration, the Senate suspended further legislative actions on the bills.

“Governors Babagana Zulum of Borno, and Sule Abdullahi of Nasarawa, Northern Elders Forum, NEF, National Economic Council, NEC, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, were among those who kicked against the Bills too, and urged further and wider consultation.”