The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has thrown its weight behind the 19 Northern state governors in their opposition to the proposed Tax Reform Bill submitted by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly. The governors had expressed strong displeasure over the bill, particularly the proposed shift to a Derivation-based Model for Value Added Tax (VAT) distribution, which they claim would disadvantage the northern states and other less industrial regions.
The NEF Board of Trustees, during its Second Bi-Annual Meeting on November 20, 2024, reaffirmed its strong opposition to the bill, describing it as “conceived in bad faith, poorly packaged, and a palpable threat to unity and national cohesion.” The forum condemned the lack of input from critical stakeholders and the National Economic Council, as well as the “brazen cavalier way” the bill was imposed on the nation.
The NEF also criticized the elected lawmakers from the Northern region for their silence on the issue, warning that such “conspiratorial connivance” against the region’s interests would no longer be tolerated.
The Tax Reform Bill aims to streamline Nigeria’s tax administration processes, eliminate multiple taxation, and harmonize tax administrative processes across federal, state, and local jurisdictions. However, the NEF and the Northern state governors remain opposed to the bill in its current form.
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