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Senate reshuffles committee on tax reform bills, removes Monguno after backlash
The Senate on Thursday reshuffled the membership of the 10-man committee that will meet with the presidency to discuss grey areas of the tax reform bills.
The move followed controversy over the bills which have been criticized by various stakeholders.
Initially established on Wednesday, the committee included prominent senators such as Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North), Adamu Ailero (PDP, Kebbi Central), and Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North).
However, on Thursday, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Monguno was removed from the committee and replaced by Senator Shehu Kaka, APC, Borno Central.
Despite this change, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, PDP, Benue South, remains the leader of the committee.
Other members of the committee include Adamu Ailero, PDP, Kebbi Central, Orji Kalu, APC, Abia North, Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), Titus Zam (APC, Benue South), Abdullahi Yahaya (PDP, Kebbi North), Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West), Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), and Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East).
The Senate’s decision to establish the committee comes after President Bola Tinubu transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration.
READ ALSO: Tinubu bows to pressure, orders review of Tax Reform Bills
The bills aim to reform Nigeria’s tax administration and provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country.
However, the bills have been met with criticism from various stakeholders, including northern governors who have rejected the bills, describing them as anti-democratic. The National Economic Council has also requested that the tax reforms bill be withdrawn from the National Assembly for more consultations.
In response to the controversy, the Senate has directed its Committee on Finance to halt any further action on the tax bills that had passed the second reading last week. The committee is tasked with meeting the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to address contentious issues in the tax bills.
According to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Senate will not be bullied or intimidated over the tax reform bills. “We are doing our work in the interest of Nigerians. We don’t take orders from anyone or any office, no matter how highly placed,” he said.
The Senate’s decision to establish a committee to meet with the Presidency is seen as a move to address the concerns of various stakeholders and ensure that the tax reform bills are in the best interest of Nigerians.
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