The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, has revealed that a majority of people, including some lawmakers, lack understanding of the contents of the controversial tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.
He emphasized that the bills were rushed to second reading in order to allow the public an opportunity to review and offer feedback before any further legislative action is taken.
The tax reform bills, introduced by President Bola Tinubu in early September, have sparked widespread debate, particularly in Northern Nigeria. Many in the region fear the bills will exacerbate economic hardship. Northern governors, traditional leaders, and several other groups have voiced strong opposition, arguing that the legislation could harm both the region and the nation.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State expressed concern over the bills, warning that if passed, state governments may struggle to pay salaries. He criticized the National Assembly for prioritizing the bills without fully addressing these concerns.
However, Senator Barau Jibrin, who has faced heavy criticism on social media for supporting the bills, defended the rapid passage, explaining that it was necessary to allow for public comment. Speaking to BBC Hausa, he clarified that the bills were presented for a second reading to create room for Nigerians to raise questions and express their opinions.
Barau further explained, “Because of the contents of the bills, we decided to invite experts, or those who developed them on behalf of the President, to explain the provisions to us. This will allow Nigerians to better understand the bills.”
The Deputy Senate President also addressed why the bills were not first sent to committee before the second reading. He noted that it is procedural for a bill to pass the second reading before being reviewed in committee. “The second reading is not the end of the process; it is just the beginning,” he added. “It is done so that the public, including youth, women, and religious leaders, can contribute and express concerns.”
In response to questions about whether lawmakers understood the potential impact of the bills on ordinary Nigerians, Barau acknowledged that many, including some of his colleagues, were not fully aware of the details. “Nobody will intentionally enact legislation that harms the people,” he stated. “The issue now is to first understand the bills’ provisions. That is why they have been sent to the committee for review, and we will invite experts to analyze them further.”
As the bills move forward in the legislative process, the National Assembly faces increasing pressure to address the concerns raised by the public and regional leaders.
