President Bola Tinubu has commended governors for supporting the Tax Reform Bills, describing the move as “bold”.
On Thursday, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) endorsed the controversial bills, which was good news for advocates of the proposal.
Less than a day after the development, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga conveyed his principal’s joy over the governors’ blessings of the tax reforms.
“President Bola Tinubu expresses his appreciation for the Nigeria Governors’ Forum following their unanimous endorsement of the four Tax Reform Bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly,” he said in a statement issued on Friday evening.
“President Tinubu lauds the governors for their bold leadership and commitment to fostering unity among leaders nationwide, transcending regional, ethnic, and political barriers to advance Nigeria’s development.”
Tinubu thanked the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and the Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, “for successfully galvanising support among his peers for these transformative tax bills to rejuvenate the national economy and enhance Nigeria’s investment climate.
“He also commends the Progressive Governors Forum, the Northern Governors Forum, and all other groups that made the bipartisan resolution of the controversy stirred by the tax bills possible.”
Despite objections to the bills especially from the northern region, Tinubu said they are “pro-poor,” meant to “promote national interests, improve the competitiveness of Nigeria’s economy, and attract both local and foreign investments”.
“He said updating the country’s outdated tax laws is essential to this endeavour.
“President Tinubu regards the governors as vital contributors to nation-building and affirms his commitment to partnering with them to promote economic growth, national harmony, peace, and stability.”
The president called on other stakeholders with ideas and suggestions for refining the Tax Bills to engage with the ongoing legislative process at the National Assembly.