The Presidency has dismissed allegations that the proposed tax reform bills before the National Assembly are skewed to impoverish northern Nigeria while favouring Lagos and Rivers states.
In a statement released on Monday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga clarified that the reforms aim to uplift all Nigerians, especially the disadvantaged, by enhancing tax administration and fostering a conducive business environment.
The statement follows concerns raised by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who criticised the proposed VAT sharing model as potentially advantageous to Lagos and Rivers states.
Onanuga, however, labelled such fears as baseless and founded on misinformation.
“These tax reforms will neither enrich Lagos and Rivers states disproportionately nor marginalise any region,” Onanuga asserted, urging Nigerians to resist divisive narratives surrounding the bills.
He further clarified that agencies such as TETFUND, NASENI, and NITDA would continue to operate and receive funding through budgetary allocations, contrary to claims of their scrapping.
Former House Speaker Yakubu Dogara also weighed in, calling for northern leaders to address the bills with pragmatism.
Speaking during a town hall meeting in Abuja, Dogara urged leaders to eschew ethnic and religious sentiments and prioritise the region’s future development.
“The focus should be on leadership, not divisive sentiments. These reforms are necessary for national progress,” he stated.
Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, reiterated that the bills are designed to empower states to generate revenue independently and reduce over-reliance on federal allocations.
