Former Vice President and 2019 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has issued a strong call to the National Assembly regarding the proposed Tax Reform Bills under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Atiku urged lawmakers to ensure that the bills are scrutinized with transparency, fairness, and objectivity.
Atiku, who has closely followed the public discourse surrounding the reforms, emphasized that the tax system must not exacerbate regional inequalities. He expressed concern that the reform could potentially favor certain states while disadvantaging others, undermining the principle of equity.
“Nigerians are united in their call for a fiscal system that promotes justice, fairness, and equity,” Atiku wrote, highlighting the importance of a tax system that does not deepen existing disparities among Nigeria’s states.
The former PDP presidential candidate further stressed the need for an inclusive public hearing process. He called on the National Assembly to ensure that all relevant stakeholders—including civil society organizations, traditional leaders, politicians, public officials, and subject matter experts—are included in discussions. According to Atiku, such inclusivity is crucial to promoting good governance and public trust in the legislative process.
Atiku also urged the National Assembly to revisit the resolutions of the National Economic Council (NEC), which plays a key role in advising the President on economic matters. He called for these resolutions to be made public and considered in the formulation of the tax reforms, ensuring that the bills align with the broader economic interests of Nigeria.
In his concluding remarks, Atiku stressed that the final version of the tax reform bills should reflect the needs and aspirations of the majority of Nigerians, rather than benefiting a select few. His statement underscores the growing scrutiny surrounding the proposed tax changes as the National Assembly prepares for public hearings on the matter.
