ACF Reacts on Tax Reform Bills: Urges FG to allow opposition voice

Says no democracy without dissenting Views

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Northern leaders, under the auspices of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have urged the Federal Government to be tolerant dissenting voices against the tax reform bills before the National Assembly, saying that fighting them is against the spirit of democracy.

According to the Forum, the policy which is controversial at the moment, and over the past two weeks in the country has been on the Executive Bills sent to the National Assembly, proposing sweeping changes in Nigeria’s tax laws.

The National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammed-Baba in a statement on Thursday, said “ACF accepts that periodic public policy reforms are in line with the political and public administrative processes, in which regards reforms are indeed necessary and desirable.”

He explained that “nothing in the life of any community is static and policies must try to address emerging challenges, take advantage of new opportunities, etc.”

“Debates have continued to rage on the pros and cons of the proposed bills, with positions being argued vehemently and stridently with passion. However, it is concerning that the emerging debates have become acrimonious, pitting sections of the country against each other.

“It is highly regretful that opinions have tended to involve unsavoury and often abusive words meant to denigrate, blackmail or intimidate anyone perceived, rightly or wrongly, as standing in support or opposing the bills or their specific aspects therefrom as are now under consideration in the Senate”, he said.

Muhammed-Baba pointed out that “needless to remind all, the proposed bills’ impact will have ramifications on every citizen and every part of the country, ” while adding, ”ACF notes that debates over bills are part and parcels of the public policy process, especially in democratic settings.”

“Reforms meant to correct policy shortcomings or inadequacies must necessarily address all areas of concern that citizens may wish to raise. The current debates actually suggest that not enough consultations went into the preparations of the bills, as obvious in concerns raised by critical stakeholders and various interest groups across Nigeria including, critically, the National Economic Council, headed by the Vice President of the Federation.”

He lamented that, “the apparent impatience by supporters of the bills, obviously including and especially the Federal Government, to have them speedily processed through Senate, creates and sustains impressions of specific but unstated underlying interests.”

He said: “It is therefore a welcome development that the Senate has wisely decided to tarry by electing for wider consultations with relevant stakeholders intended to address areas of concerns.

He stressed that “ACF encourages all concerned to cooperate with the relevant Senate Committee tasked with the assignment, while urging every interest group to see the debates for or against any provisions in the bills as essential inputs into the policy process.”

He Pointed out that the federal government should allow the voices of opposition to the proposed tax bills by aggrieved Nigerians, Muhammed-Baba, adding, “expressions of contrary opinions and views are necessary ingredients of the legislative process, in line with the dictates of democracy, to ensure that the emergence of robust laws that will stand the test of time.”

”Ultimately, the outcome of such laws emanating from the process will serve the interests of the whole country and not, as some insinuate, specific sections or interests to the detriment of others. It is in line with the above that ACF constituted a committee of experts to study the proposed bills so as to come out with appropriate recommendations to be forwarded to appropriate organs of government”, he further stressed.

“In the meantime, ACF urges restrain, decorum and mutual respect in any discussions of provisions in the proposed bills as, in accordance with the timeless adage, no one has monopoly of knowledge and/or wisdom”, he added.