Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills Poorly Drafted, Says Rep
A member of the House of Representatives, Sada Soli, has criticized the drafting process of President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills, describing them as poorly executed and lacking professional input. Soli, who represents the Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency, made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.
The lawmaker argued that President Tinubu was “poorly advised” on the bills, stating that they were not subjected to the standard drafting process. “Let us be fair to Mr. President. For a President to take a decision, he has to rely on certain advice. I think the President was poorly advised,” Soli said.
He further emphasized that the bills were not drafted by professionals, leading to significant flaws. “People that drafted these bills in the first place, the draft was poorly done because they were referring to the bills as Acts. When I read these bills, I know that they were poorly drafted and were not subjected to professional drafters,” he added.
Bills Pass Second Reading Despite Concerns
Despite the criticism, the tax reform bills scaled second reading in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The bills, which aim to overhaul Nigeria’s tax system, will now proceed to committee review, where lawmakers will address concerns and consider possible amendments before final passage.
Soli acknowledged President Tinubu’s willingness to subject the bills to scrutiny, noting that the President had engaged governors, the Attorney General of the Federation, and members of the National Assembly to review the proposed legislation. “He (Tinubu) said that the Senate should go and sit down with the Attorney General of the Federation. He discussed with the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives to widely look at them before he tried to consider the bills,” Soli said.
Calls for Thorough Review
The lawmaker’s comments highlight growing concerns about the quality and clarity of the tax reform bills, which have sparked debates among stakeholders. Soli urged his colleagues to ensure that the bills undergo thorough scrutiny during the committee stage to address any deficiencies.
“We have to be fair to the President. He is an individual. He was advised by his consultants. And the bill did not go through the normal process it should have followed,” Soli said, adding that President Tinubu’s inclusive approach to governance should be commended.
Next Steps for the Bills
With the second reading concluded, the focus now shifts to the committee review process, where lawmakers will deliberate on the raised concerns and propose amendments. The outcome of this review will determine the final shape of the tax reform bills and their potential impact on Nigeria’s economy.
As the debate continues, stakeholders are calling for transparency and professionalism in the legislative process to ensure that the bills meet the needs of the Nigerian people while addressing the challenges of the current tax system.
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Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills Poorly Drafted, Says Rep