The Democratic Front (TDF) has thrown its weight behind the latest position of Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Danjuma, Mallam Muhammad and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group described the governor’s change of position as a good development.
It said: “We agree absolutely with the views expressed by the Nasarawa State governor on an Arise Television programme, that the initial opposition from the northern state governors against the tax reform was propelled by a lack of adequate clarity and understanding of some of the contents of the bill.
“This, for us, is a welcome development especially as it came in the wake of continuous stakeholder engagement by the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele
“We therefore commend Governor Abdullahi Sule, who is also the chairman of the North Central Governors Forum, for his remarkable show of maturity, understanding and statesmanship in disembarking from his earlier stance against the bills, by openly expressing support for their passage.
“And we also call on all his colleagues in the Northern Governors Forum to join him in encouraging the National Assembly to pass all four tax reform bills without much ado.
“TDF is on record to have insisted that the tax bills were designed by President Tinubu to usher in a progressive national tax system, that will meet the economic and political aspirations of Nigerians in the emerging global economy.
“We salute the courage displayed by the President for encouraging the true spirit of democracy and freedom of expression among Nigerians in the heat of discussions around the tax reform in the wake of the unwarranted controversy.
“To this end, we appreciate the continuous efforts, sacrifices and commitment exhibited by both the Chairman of the Presidential Committee and the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zach Adedeji in their drive to enlighten Nigerians on the objectives of the Tinubu tax reform.
“It is, however, important to posit once again that there is no aspect of the tax reform bills that is prejudicial to the economic interest of Northern Nigeria or any part of the country as argued by
mischief makers.
“Rather, the bills, amongst others, seek to exempt the teeming population of masses from the payment of tax until they can attain a significant level of economic productivity.
“Similarly, when passed into law, the reform bills will leverage all sub-national governments in the country with the capacity to create more jobs and wealth.”
TDF also reiterates its call on political and traditional leaders in the North to support the passage of the tax reform bills to counter the political mischief that has misled the people of the region against the Tinubu administration
