The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) and other Civil Society Organisations have called for withdrawal of the proposed tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.
The CNG alongside other stakeholders disclosed this at the end of a townhall meeting organised to deliberate on the tax reforms proposed by President Tinubu on Monday in Gombe.
The National Coordinator of the CNG, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, who spoke on behalf of the organisations said the President Tinubu’s tax reforms appeared to be promoting interest of a few people to the detriment of the generality of Nigerians.
Comrade Charanchi said the CNG and other partners would continue to sensitise the public to pressure their representatives at the National Assembly to block passage of the bill.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, who was the keynote speaker, noted that the speed with which the bills are being pushed suggest that there was an ulterior motive behind them.
Prof. Abubakar called for withdrawal of the bills until all controversial and ambiguous issues are resolved completely over time in the interest of fairness and inclusivity.
He advocated for a halt on the proposed increase on VAT in the country due to the harsh economic conditions in Nigeria.
According to him, all reforms of President Tinubu since his assumption of office have been troubling on the Nigerian people.
In his remark, the State CNG Coordinator, Comrade Muhammad Usman Deba, explained the potential negative impact of the tax reform bills on Northern states. Deba noted that there is a need for a more inclusive approach, with a transparent and equitable revenue-sharing formula that involves consultations with stakeholders from all regions.
The townhall meeting, themed “Tax Reform: A Catalyst for Economic Growth or a Burden on Nigerians,” drew participation from civil society organizations, trade unions, youths and women groups from the nooks and crannies of Gombe State.
