Tax reform bills will pass despite opposition, says Rep Abdulmumin Jibrin

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills will secure approval from both chambers of the National Assembly.

Jibrin made this declaration during a televised interview on Sunday, despite recent calls by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) urging lawmakers from the region to oppose the bills.

Defending the proposed reforms, Jibrin praised President Tinubu’s vision, stating that the administration is making sacrifices today to secure a better tomorrow for Nigerians through tax reforms and other economic policies.

The bills, part of the administration’s strategy to address fiscal challenges and boost revenue, have sparked debates nationwide, with concerns over their potential impact on businesses and citizens.

He said: “I have never had any doubt about the consideration and passage of the Tax Reform Bills. We will pass the tax reform bills.”

Jibrin added that though wrong perception about the reform bills is very strong in the North where he comes from but sensitization on the merits and necessity for the reforms is being done to correct the wrong notions.

He said: “For those of us who have read through the bills very thoroughly, the aggregate of their advantages, far surpassed whatever perceived disadvantages by anybody or part of the country.

“President Tinubu is not out for a battle on the bills just like the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), but for understanding their objectives and goals, which are all geared towards better revenue generation and distribution for economic survival of the country.

“Yes, there may be contentious clauses in the bills, but that should not mean that they should be thrown away or not considered by the National Assembly.

“Since the bills are already with us, the onus lies with both chambers to allow them pass through the required legislative processes which would pave the way for amendment of contentious clauses, since they are not cast in stone in the first place.

“As I said a couple of days ago in a similar programme like this, many of those kicking against the bills, have not read them but are just listening to wrong narratives being reeled out by some other people.”

The lawmaker added that the fuel subsidy removal and floating of the naira carried out by President Tinubu last year and the proposed tax reform, will transform the nation’s economy despite the hardships and pains being experienced by Nigerians.

“President Tinubu, to me, is giving his today for Nigerians’ tomorrow through the courageous and long-term result-oriented reforms being carried out now,” he said.