Bauchi Group kick against FG’s tax bills, calls for its withdrawal

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

A group known as Bauchi State Togetherness and Development Forum has called for the withdrawal of the tax reform bills from the national assembly.

The chairman of the forum, Abdullahi Koli who addressed a press conference Wednesday in Bauchi, urged Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central Senatorial) Senator Shehu Buba of Bauchi South and Senator Sama’ila Dahuwa of Bauchi North senatorial district to agitate for the withdrawal of the tax reform bill at the red chamber.

“We, the Bauchi State Togetherness and Development Forum, with a sense of urgency and responsibility, convey the concerns of the good people of Bauchi State over the proposed Tax Reform Bills recently submitted to the National Assembly by the Executive Arm of Government”, Koli said.

“At a time when Nigerians, particularly in Bauchi State, are grappling with unparalleled economic challenges, this proposed legislation threatens to deepen the already dire conditions faced by the majority.

“We appeal to your sense of justice, equity, and representation to carefully reconsider these bills and advocate for policies that align with the needs and aspirations of your constituents”, the Forum further posited.

Relating the consequences of the tax bill to the state of the nation, the forum expressed worries that “Majority of Nigerians, including the people of Bauchi State, are enduring severe economic hardships stemming largely from the removal of oil subsidies.

“This decision has exacerbated inflation, leaving many families unable to afford basic needs such as food, healthcare, and education.

“Social mobility has been stifled, and the level of insecurity continues to rise, further endangering lives and property”, Koli said.

These challenges, according to the forum, have made life extremely difficult for the average Nigerian, with youths expressing their frustrations through protests earlier this year.

Koli regretted that instead of addressing the grievances, the Executive Arm responded with additional measures such as increasing the price of petrol, introducing new taxes, and raising existing charges, including electricity tariffs and electronic transfer fees.

He said that the justification for the bills, as stated by the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, is to maximize tax revenue and reduce dependence on oil revenue.

According to him, approach places an undue burden on an already overtaxed populace and struggling businesses and that many foreign businesses have exited Nigeria while domestic enterprises are barely surviving.