Deputy Senate President Jibrin attacked Over Tax Reform Bills

Resentment towards the proposed Tax Reform Bills in the National Assembly has deepened in the North as youths criticized Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, for what they termed insensitivity to the region’s concerns.

The youths, representing the 19 northern states, accused the Kano North Senatorial District lawmaker of supporting legislation they believe will harm the North’s economic prospects.

The proposed bills, sent by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly, aim to streamline tax revenue administration, eliminate double taxation, attract private sector investment, and provide targeted tax exemptions to boost disposable income. These bills include the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and the Nigeria Tax Bill.

While the executive arm describes these measures as necessary for overhauling the country’s tax system, many northern stakeholders see them as detrimental to the region’s socio-economic development.

Last week, the Senate passed the bills for Second Reading despite significant opposition. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele praised the legislation, describing it as a crucial step towards reforming Nigeria’s fiscal policies.

However, northern lawmakers and regional leaders have raised alarms, arguing that the proposed laws disproportionately disadvantage the North.

The Northern Youth Assembly, a vocal critic of the bills, directed their ire at Senator Barau Jibrin for presiding over the session where the bills advanced. They expressed discontent with the perceived lack of consideration for the North’s economic realities and accused the Deputy Senate President of prioritizing political expediency over regional interests.

During the contentious plenary session, tempers flared, with debates erupting into heated exchanges. Lawmakers expressed frustration that the bills were tabled for discussion without being listed on the day’s agenda, further fueling suspicions about the process.

The opposition from the North underscores the broader regional dissatisfaction with the proposed reforms. Leaders and stakeholders in the region have vowed to continue their resistance, insisting that the bills, if enacted, would exacerbate existing economic disparities and undermine the North’s development trajectory.