The House of Representatives has indefinitely postponed the debate on the Tax Reform Bills originally scheduled for Tuesday, following significant pressure from the 19 northern state governors.
The decision was communicated in a memo signed by Clerk Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, as 73 northern lawmakers opposed the bills.
Among the dissenters are 48 representatives from the North-East and 24 from Kano, including former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
The memo suspending the debate dated November 30, 2024 is titled, ‘Rescheduling of Special Session on Tax Reform Bills.’
It reads, “I am directed by the House leadership to inform all Honourable Members that the special session, initially scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2024, to discuss all the tax reform bills, has been postponed to a later date.
“This rescheduling is due to the need for further and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders. A new date and venue for the session will be communicated in due course. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.”
Tensions were evident during a closed-door meeting, where northern lawmakers voiced strong objections to the proposed reforms.
A member representing Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok Federal Constituency, Borno State, stated, “On behalf of the 48 honourable members from the ravaged North-East sub-region, I want to first of all rely on the position of the three previous caucus leaders. In addition to this, the primary responsibility of every government is simply the welfare of its citizens.
“North-East, even before the insurgency, was the poorest region in Nigeria. Today, our people have been turned into beggars. Billionaires and millionaires of yesterday have to queue up in IDP camps in host communities to collect 10kg bags of rice.
“If other parts of the country were in our shoes, even this sitting would not be possible. We have concluded that we are going to make further consultations because there is nothing that is cast in stone.”
Also, a lawmaker from the North-West, stated, “As the representatives of the people, we have resolved to continue our consultation on the matter,” adding that “Things degenerated almost to a point of rebellion against the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu who presided over the executive session.”
According to him, what transpired during Thursday’s executive session indicate that the bills may not have a smooth ride in the House.
“From what I can deduce, the Governors of the North are not yet convinced about the arguments in favour of the bills. The bills are against the interest of the North and that is why we are saying, ‘if you think this is not the case, give us more time to consult with our people.’
“The speed with which they want these bills considered and passed is suspicious. This is why our governors are not convinced and we are not convinced either,” he noted.
