Governors threaten to deny lawmakers return tickets over support for tax reform bills

The deputy spokesman for the House of Representatives, Mr. Philip Agbese, has revealed that several state governors are threatening to deny federal lawmakers return tickets in the 2027 general elections if they do not withdraw their support for President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills currently under consideration in the National Assembly.

Agbese further disclosed that today (Monday), lawmakers will engage with Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, along with other renowned tax experts, to discuss the bills.

In September 2024, President Tinubu presented four key tax reform bills to the National Assembly.

These include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, aimed at establishing a fiscal framework for taxation, and the Tax Administration Bill, which seeks to provide a clear legal framework for taxes and minimize disputes.

Other proposed bills are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which aims to replace the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which would create a tax tribunal and ombudsman.

Despite the President’s push for the bills, 36 state governors have demanded their withdrawal, citing concerns over insufficient consultation and the need for broader public input.

However, President Tinubu has rejected their counsel, insisting that amendments to certain clauses can be made during Senate and House debates.

In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH in Abuja, Agbese said that some governors are planning meetings ahead of the National Assembly’s resumption to consider these tax bills and other important legislations, signaling the political tension surrounding the proposed reforms.

He said, “Some of these governors are threatening members from their states. They have even gone far to threaten that they would deny members return tickets in 2027 if they support the bills.”

The threats notwithstanding, the Benue lawmaker said nothing would make him and his colleagues change course, provided the bills are targeted at revamping the economy.

He continued, “As far as we are concerned in the House of Representatives, nobody can stop us from supporting President Bola Tinubu’s bid to reboot the economy to work for the country.

“We are united across party lines to make sure the country works. This is the disposition of Speaker, Tajudeen Abass.”

Waxing spiritual, Agbese quoted Isaiah 54:15 saying, “Behold, they shall surely gather, but not by me. Whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.”

While noting that lawmakers in the past could indeed be cajoled to give up their principles, the legislator reminded the governors that the 10th Assembly congressmen are a different breed of Nigerians.

He said, “The difference between the new crop of politicians in the House of Representatives is that we are intellectually sound, progressive-minded and pro-Nigeria.

“We were not elected by the governors but our constituents and as far as the legislation (bills) will work for those that elected us, we will support them unequivocally, wholeheartedly and powerfully to see the light of the day.”

Meanwhile, the House, according to Agbese, will on Monday interface with the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, Oyedele, and other renowned tax experts, ahead of Tuesday’s resumption of plenary.

He added that the leadership of the House, in a bid to enable lawmakers to make contributions from a position of informed knowledge, had distributed copies of the bills to members for their independent study.

“We are engaging Taiwo Oyedele and other tax experts on Monday.

“We have made copies of the bills available to every lawmaker to study, dissect and make inputs when we bring them up for debate,” he stated, adding that the proposed legislation was likely to scale through but with some amendments where necessary.

He continued, “I see the 10th House Congressmen passing the bills with minor adjustments to polish them with a touch of patriotism and intellectualism. That’s the trademark when you have a teacher leading a parliament anywhere in the world.”