Northern lawmakers in the National Assembly have concluded plans for a showdown if the tax reform bills currently before the assembly are not withdrawn as the legislative arm resumes today.

They reiterated their calls for the withdrawal of the bills citing concerns about the timing, lack of proper consultations with stakeholders, and the structure and content of the bills.

To address these concerns, the Senate formed a committee led by Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) to meet with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to resolve the issues surrounding the bills.

However, northern lawmakers remain firm in their stance that the bills should be withdrawn. They plan to make their position clear as the National Assembly resumes its sessions today, with the 2025 budget defense and the tax reform bills set to dominate the agenda.

But Senator Enyinnaya Abariba (APGA, Abia South) suggested that the bills would likely be altered before passage. “I do not see the bill being passed as it is. It will be rejigged,” he said in a message to one of our reporters.

Meanwhile, Rep Baba Jimi Benson, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in Lagos State, dismissed claims that the tax bills were aimed at stoking regional division. He defended the reforms as a progressive step towards economic growth, noting that the current tax system is outdated and inefficient.

DAILYTRUST