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Ex-Speaker Dogara backs Tax Reform Bills
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has backed the tax reform bills of President Bola Tinubu, which have generated concerns especially in the Northern part of the country.
Dogara supported the tax reform bills at a Town Hall meeting organised by the Christian Awareness Initiatives of Nigeria (CHAIN) on Thursday in Kaduna.
The theme of the meeting was “Church and Society: Tax Reform and Matters Arising”.
He said that national issues needed not to take a regional or any other dimension as seen with the tax reform bills.
Dogara said the tax reform bills would be beneficial to Nigerians especially the Northern part where it would free most of its people who were struggling with the burden of taxation.
“Those who are earning less than N800,000 would not be taxed, imagine how many Northerners will be out of the tax.
”If businesses that do not make up to 50 million in a month will also not pay tax, imagine how it will free the economic space for our people.
“More businesses will be created and more people will be employed, in the region that has a high number of unemployed people roaming the streets,”he said.
According to Dogara, the tax reform bills would enable the North to unleash its creative potential.
He however, said in terms of distribution, the tax reforms would constitute problems for the North.
The former speaker, therefore, said conversation and dialogue needed to be done to reach an understanding on what would be fair between the North and the South.
“I agree totally there are legitimate concerns, but we can’t say as leaders that because the issues are difficult then we won’t do anything about it, that is what we totally disagree with,” Dogara said.
He added that the bill, which states derivation based on attribution, needed to be clearly refined.
According to him, attribution should be based on location of consumption not where the Headquarters of where companies are located.
“All these can be clarified. But to say we can’t have a reform in a country where we have 11 tax laws that are summarised into two is not possible.
“Reforms are actually difficult because people resist, but the world itself has marched through change, which we enjoy now as humans because of the daring efforts by people to introduce changes in spite of resistance.
“If we want progress, we must always move from the status quo. It will take courage, leadership, patience and sometimes sacrifice.
”Even if it means we are going to give a lot from the North for Nigeria to move forward, we should be able to do it.
“At some point, we will also demand from the South to also give alot for the North to make progress. That is how we can run as a better country,”Dogara said.
The Chairman of the event, Simon Achuba, said information was critical, and enabled people to take the right direction and decision.
Achuba, who was the former Deputy Governor of Kogi, therefore said the town hall meeting would enable the Christians have a unified voice on the tax reform bills.
He also said that gone were the days where Christians shied away from politics, urgung that they must participate in the governing process.
Achuba said they would look into the areas where the tax reform bills required expulsion, redefinition or total removal.
Earlier, Rev. Joseph Hayab, the Executive Director of CHAIN, said that even though the dialogue about the tax reform bills should have come much earlier, it was better late than never.
According to him, from information gathered from experts, there are pointers that the tax reform bill has many prospects, even though some areas must be redefined and realigned.
He said, “Our nation and people will not know, experience, or enjoy any meaningful progress until we seek good and proper knowledge about our nation and how to work together to develop the nation”.
Hayab, therefore, believed that when citizens were well informed, they can recommend, promote, and encourage their elected representatives both at the State and the National Assemblies.
This os to to correct what needs to be corrected, add what may have been omitted, be delivered so that the bill be passed but not to call for it to be thrown away.
Hayab appealed to all Nigerians to be cautious and not condemn or support matters they know little or nothing about.
He said, “Nigeria must move forward. Hence, citizens should not engage in religious or ethnic sentiments or divisive patterns to derail Nigeria’s progress.
“Nigeria must not continue in the old ways, which have delayed our progress. Nations are built on the positive contributions of citizens.”
Accordingly, every citizen has a vital role and contribution to nation-building and should be guided and allowed to do so.
Speaking further, the executive director said CHAIN was established in 2007 to provide platforms and avenues for Christians to seek improved ways to effectively participate in Nigeria’s national life associated with spiritual, social, and economic growth.
He said the town hall meeting called on Christian leaders to deliberate and make remarks on the matter of tax reforms being considered by the legislative arm of Nigeria.
Scripturally, he said, Jesus taught his disciples to pay their taxes faithfully and regularly to those to whom tax payment is due.
He however, said the questions that beg for immediate answers were why and whether the reforms are good or beneficial to the average Nigerian and what experts think are the grey areas.
“Meanwhile, we at CHAIN believe that Christian leaders should not stay on the fence on matters of national interest because the leaders have followers who believe in them and need their guidance,”Hayab said.
Speaking on behalf of the Zonal leaders of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Sunday Oyibe, said the foundation of Nigeria’s problem is the distrust between the leaders and the followers.
Oyibe, who is the CAN Chairman of the North-East region, emphasised that the distrust has led to a lack lof accountability and transparency in governance.
He, therefore said it must be addressed to move the country forward.(NAN
The House of Representatives has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to suspend the implementation of the increment in Automated Teller Machine transaction charges given the economic situation in the country.
The decision of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Esan Central /Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, Edo State, Marcus Onobun, during Tuesday’s plenary.
Addressing his colleagues on the floor, Onobun noted that the apex bank through a recent circular, prescribed an increase in ATM withdrawal charges and a discontinuation of the free ATM withdrawals for customers using other banks’ ATMs, thereby imposing additional financial burdens on Nigerians.
Recall that with the new policy, customers withdrawing from their bank’s ATMs will continue to enjoy free withdrawals.
However, a fee of N100 will be applied to N20,000 withdrawals for customers from other banks transacting from ATMs within the bank premises.
Similarly, customers from other banks transacting from ATMs outside the premises of the bank such as malls, marketplaces, and other public places will be charged N100 and an additional surcharge of N500.
The Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker argued that Nigerians “Are already grappling with multiple economic hardships, including high inflation, increased fuel prices, electricity tariff hike, and numerous banking and service charges that significantly reduce disposable income and negatively impact their welfare.
“We are worried that the imposition of additional ATM withdrawal charges will further limit the financial inclusion of Nigerians by discouraging low-income earners from accessing banking services, thereby contradicting the CBN’s financial inclusion agenda.
“The banking sector has continued to record significant profits, imposing further charges on consumers without corresponding improvements in service delivery or infrastructure is unjustifiable.”
The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary session put the motion to voice vote and it was overwhelmingly supported by the lawmakers.
The House thereafter urged the CBN to immediately suspend the implementation of the policy, pending proper engagement with the relevant Committees on Banking, Finance, and Financial Institutions.
The Concerned Christian Youth Forum (CCYF) has issued a stern warning to Nigerian activist and politician Omoyele Sowore over his recent remarks about Christian leaders in the country.
In a statement on Tuesday, the forum’s convener, James Paul Adama, described Sowore’s comments as “offensive and unfounded,” warning that any further disparagement of the Christian faith or its leaders would not be tolerated.
“To label our Fathers of Faith and Pastors as failures, uneducated, or jobless is preposterous, egregiously disrespectful, and therefore unacceptable,” Adama said.
“The time has come to put an end to Sowore’s incessant attacks on the Christian faith and its reputable leaders.”
The statement accused Sowore of undermining the contributions of some of Nigeria’s most revered religious figures, including Bishop Francis Wale Oke, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, and others. It noted that these individuals had attained remarkable success in their respective fields and were widely respected both nationally and internationally.
“Sowore should reflect on the fact that these individuals are not only spiritual leaders but also intellectual heavyweights who have earned the admiration of millions,” the statement read.
“Academically, Sowore is a dwarf where most of these men are standing. How can a sane man refer to a First-Class graduate of mathematics or a professor of mathematics as uneducated?”
The CCYF further accused Sowore of making statements “not grounded in reality, but rather in ignorance and hate.”
It described his words as “reckless” and warned that they could incite religious tension in an already volatile society.
“This serves as a strong note of warning to Sowore and his ilk that any further attacks on Christianity or Christian leaders will be met with a stronger response,” the forum said.
“His misguided words and actions have far-reaching consequences, even capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.”
The CCYF called on the Nigerian government to take note of Sowore’s statements, highlighting their potential implications for national peace and security.
“We, the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, stand in solidarity with our Christian leaders and our faith. We will not tolerate any further attacks against them.”
Former governor of Sokoto State and current Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has reaffirmed his party’s commitment to reclaiming power in 2027.
Speaking on Monday at the launch of a Ramadan aid distribution programme, Tambuwal assured supporters that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would regain its “stolen mandate” in the next general elections.
The initiative, aimed at assisting fasting Muslims during Ramadan, will benefit 30,000 households across Sokoto State.
Tambuwal noted that this effort was in addition to food assistance programmes being carried out by PDP lawmakers at both state and federal levels.
“As you are aware, many people have lost their lives and are no longer with us. By His grace, we are here to witness another Ramadan and provide support to our people once again,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to party leaders and supporters for their commitment, stressing that the PDP remained united in Sokoto.
“We are one big, united family. We shall continue to work together towards reclaiming what has been taken away from us.
In the last elections, our mandate was forcefully stolen, but we are restrategising and reorganising. By the grace of Allah, we will reclaim it in 2027,” Tambuwal declared.
Sokoto State PDP chairman, Comrade Bello Goronyo, echoed similar sentiments, thanking party members for their loyalty.
He criticised the current government, attributing the economic hardships faced by Nigerians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We urge the people of Sokoto and Nigerians at large to free themselves from the misgovernance of the APC in 2027,” Goronyo stated.
The PDP’s Ramadan assistance programme includes the distribution of thousands of bags of rice and other essential grains to youth and women-led organisations across the state.