The North Has Not Effectively Presented Its Position On Tax Reform Bill – Dawisu

Peacock @Dawisu

As a Northerner, I’m disheartened to see that many competent individuals who could effectively represent our region’s interests often shy away from doing so. And many of those who do speak on our behalf often lack the requisite expertise, inadvertently ridiculing us in the process.

The Tax Reform Bill demands a more thoughtful approach from Northern stakeholders. Merely rejecting the bill without providing clear, informed reasoning is insufficient. It’s essential to articulate a well-structured position, highlighting areas of agreement, disagreement, and proposed alternatives.

This entails clearly outlining what aspects of the bill are acceptable, what needs revision, and what should be added to ensure the bill benefits the North and Nigeria as a whole. By presenting a coherent, data-driven argument, Northern stakeholders can engage constructively with proponents of the bill and contribute meaningfully to the bill’s refinement.

I haven’t seen a detailed position from the Northern Governors Forum or that of Arewa Consultative Forum, Council of Ulamas, Tax experts and the likes.

It’s time for Arewa to adopt a more mature, solutions-oriented approach, moving beyond mere opposition and instead, providing actionable recommendations that can inform the bill’s development, since there are a lot of things contained in the bill that are for the good of the country.