Group Kicks against rejection of tax bill

The Arewa Civil Rights Movement (ACRM) has expressed disappointment over the opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills, which are currently before the National Assembly. The bills, aimed at reforming tax collection in Nigeria, include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill. […]

The Arewa Civil Rights Movement (ACRM) has expressed disappointment over the opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills, which are currently before the National Assembly.

The bills, aimed at reforming tax collection in Nigeria, include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, Dr. Agabi Emmanuel, National President of the group, said the rejection of the bills is ill-conceived and would set the country back.

The movement argues that directing lawmakers to reject the bills due to issues with one is unjustified and oversteps the governors’ authority.

Agabi said in part: “Our Movement is concerned with the far-reaching consequences of the ill-conceived directive to northern lawmakers to reject the bills. First, it is wrong to direct lawmakers to reject the four bills because they have issues with just one.

“This will set the country back as it is creating needless drama and distraction that is unnecessary at this point.

“The Arewa Civil Rights Movement urges the lawmakers to disregard the directive as they had no basis to issue such a directive. The lawmakers’ responsibility is to their constituents.

“Should the northern lawmakers reject the Bills based on the interference they would have confirmed to those who voted them into office that they are incapable of serving. Such disrespect for the wishes of their constituents will definitely result in a wave of recall as the people will not accept rubberstamp lawmakers.”