The president’s comment came barely 24 hours after the National Economic Council (NEC), headed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, asked Tinubu to withdraw the bill due to the controversies it was generating.
The NEC made the demand at the end of their meeting, which was also attended by the 36 state governors. They asked that the bills be withdrawn to allow for wider consultations.
Nineteen northern governors and monarchs rejected the Tax Reform Bill, citing its potential harm to the North’s interests, particularly the proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) distribution amendment. They argued that VAT should be remitted based on consumption location, not company headquarters.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State emphasized the need for equity and fairness in national policies, ensuring no geopolitical zone is marginalized. Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State clarified that the governors’ opposition was not against President Tinubu but rather the potentially unfair VAT bill.
However, in a statement, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s special assistant on information and strategy, commended the NEC for its position but maintained that the bill should be left for legislative debate.
The statement reads in part:
Read the full statement here:
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
