Presidency Lobbies Lawmaker For Tax Reform Bills Amid Northern Governors’ Resistance

The Presidency has ramped up lobbying efforts to secure the passage of the controversial tax reform bills by the National Assembly, with sources revealing that the leadership of the House of Representatives has invited caucus leaders for a critical meeting today.

The meeting is aimed at persuading lawmakers to support the bills, which the Presidency is eager to have passed before the end of the year to enable their implementation alongside the 2025 budget by January 1, 2025.

This renewed push comes amid mounting pressure from northern governors and traditional rulers, who have voiced strong opposition to certain provisions in the proposed reforms.

In particular, the Northern States Governors’ Forum has rejected the shift to a derivation-based model for value-added tax (VAT) distribution, arguing that it would disproportionately harm northern states and other sub-national entities.

Despite the backlash, President Bola Tinubu has urged the National Assembly to proceed with the legislative process for the bills, following recommendations from the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, that the reforms undergo additional scrutiny.

A lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the Presidency’s aggressive lobbying.

The lawmaker who spoke with Daily Trust said, “They are reaching out to get the by-in of lawmakers. They want us to support the bills to scale through.”

He, however, said lobbying is not wrong, as it is being done in advanced democracies like the United States.

“Lobby is part of democratic process to get things done, but you should understand that pushback by those who feel the issue in contention will not favour them is also legitimate,” he said.