Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills, calling them “dead on arrival” due to public opposition. Highlighting Nigerians’ economic struggles, Ndume urged the President to withdraw the VAT bill and prioritize easing the tax burden, gaining support from governors and traditional leaders.
In a sharp critique of President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform proposals, Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South in the National Assembly, declared that the bills are “dead on arrival.” Speaking on Channels Television's Politics Today, Ndume emphasized the widespread opposition to the VAT bill, stating that Nigerians, especially in the north, are adamantly against it.
He argued that the timing of the tax reforms is problematic, given the current economic challenges faced by citizens. "Our people are saying they don’t want the VAT bill, they don’t even want to hear about it," Ndume noted, further calling on the President to heed the advice of the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Northern Governors’ Forum to withdraw the bills.
The lawmaker, who belongs to the All Progressives Congress (APC), pointed out that Nigerians are already struggling financially and are unwilling to shoulder additional tax burdens. “Nigerians are willing to pay taxes but only when they can afford it. Right now, people are struggling to survive. Let people live first before you start asking them for taxes,” Ndume explained.
The tax reform proposals have been met with fierce opposition from various sectors, including state governors and traditional leaders. While the President insists the bills will not be withdrawn, he has expressed openness to making necessary adjustments based on feedback from lawmakers.
Ndume also suggested that the Tinubu administration should focus on reforming its internal processes rather than increasing the financial burden on Nigerians. “What he [Tinubu] needs to do is to withdraw the bill, educate Nigerians, and make us understand it,” Ndume asserted. He concluded that it would be the "fairest thing to do" to shut down the bill, rallying support in the National Assembly to reject it.
As the controversy over the tax reforms continues, the future of the proposed bills remains uncertain. With both political leaders and the public expressing discontent, the National Assembly will face increasing pressure to address these concerns.
