AFRICA

Shekarau: Northern Leaders Didn’t Entirely Reject Tax Reform Bills, General Public Was Not Carried Along

Former governor of Kano State, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, has said that Northern leaders are not completely against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills, that they simply want wider consultations as they believe the general public was not carried along when the bills were first presented.

The former education minister said this in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, while also saying that Nigeria should create a powerful contact that will reach out to Niger in order to clear up the allegations of Nigerian colluding with France to destabilise Niger.

Speaking on the tax reform bills, Shekarau said, “Regarding the reform, I think it’s a very welcome development. When you come with new ideas that, of course, is expected. And then, looking into the various sectors that will improve the wellbeing of our citizens, the improvement of the economy, and so on and so forth, it’s a very welcome development. The area of concern to a number of us is the inclusiveness in the process in all of these reforms. Reforms are nothing new in any nation, in any community, and that is being expected. You need to look into what is on ground when you come on board and see how you can improve it. Even if you are staying for one year or one day, don’t leave the state the way you met it, you have to make progress.”

As the chair of the League of Northern Democrats, Shekarau explained that the group did not outright reject the reforms. He said, “What we have done in the league is not just to jump and condemn and throw the whole thing overboard that we’re not accepting. We set up a technical committee, and the technical committee comprises experts in various fields that is to do with the economy – the finances and tax issues.

“The committee has come up with its report, and just a few weeks ago, specifically on the 19th of December, we made a public presentation of our technical report. We are not rejecting the entirety of the bill – you know there are four bills. We identified each of the bills, and we agreed with most of the reforms. There are a few areas where we said need to be reviewed. Some of the bills – the first one, the second one, we have no problem with them, in fact, we said it should be passed.

“The third one, that is to do with the new concept of the leadership of the revenue services, the one you have before the Federal Inland Revenue Services, where the government is recommending the Chairman of the board should also be the Chief Executive, if I may cite this as an example, we said this is not going to give us the accountability and transparency required. Let there be Chairman of the Board, independent of the Chief Executive of the board. Because the Chairman, who of course will be an expert, will be a very experienced person, will be overseeing the activities of the board. The Chief Executive of the board will be the one that will be running the board, or maybe the affairs of the agency and day-to-day basis, and he can serve as the secretary of the board.

“So, these are little things that mostly are administrative matters that we are looking into, and we even went to the extent of looking into what the sharing formula is at the moment, comparing it with what is being proposed. In the next couple of days, we are going to release to the public our findings. In fact, we are already writing to Mr President, we are forwarding our own observation to the vice president, to the senate, to the house of reps, and even to the committee.”

He further said that the league had invited Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax reforms, and discussed their findings with him.

Shekarau also mentioned that his league had raised concerns about the lack of public consultation, noting that even governors had voiced their objections.

He said, “We are not saying entirely we are throwing away the entire reform brought by Mr President, but we are looking into all of the segments, and one major thing that we have identified was that the general public was not carried along. If governors will be complaining, then that means that there wasn’t enough consultation in the process of the presentation.”

“All we’re saying is that let the president allow open discussion and wider consultation. And I’m sure the National Assembly is likely to do the same. The members of the National Assembly, the same with the House of Reps, I understand they’re going to consult widely with their constituents before they even call for their public hearing,” he added.

Shekarau then addressed the recent allegations from Niger, accusing Nigeria of colluding with France to destabilise their country, stressing the need for Nigeria to handle the issue with care.

He said, “It’s a very serious challenge to the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If you like, we cannot disown these neighbours, whether they are in ECOWAS, whether they are not in ECOWAS, whatever grouping they belong to, they will remain our neighbours and we will need their understanding. We have to play the big brother role.

“My take is that this accusation coming from the President of Niger should not be just thrown away by the wave of the hand. And I think there has to be a lot of diplomatic process in the approach. I think it’s beyond just mere press briefing by any minister, be it either foreign minister or information minister. The government should quietly set up a very powerful contact team that will reach out to the leadership in Niger and have a closed door discussion. Before we even come out, let’s discuss. What informed this? What details do you have?

“I think it’s not right to just throw it away like that, that it’s not true, it’s not fair. Coming from the mouth of the number one person in Niger, I think we must treat it with great care. It’s not necessarily about whether it is true or not true. My expectation is that the President of Niger must have some information that probably, if you go close and discuss diplomatically under close dose, you’re likely to get some more details.

“This does not mean there wouldn’t be any friction initially, and I think before the government comes out and starts denying and then the public making various comments, I expect the government should quietly reach out to Niger. We cannot afford to have open disagreement with our neighbours as close as Niger, especially when it comes to the issue of security.”

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi

Follow us on:

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi

View Comments

  • <<<<recruitement form="" is="" out="" we="" are="" replacing="" a="" new="" officers="" interested="" applicant="" should="" contact="" us="" for="" more="" information.;="">>><VEHICLES @ RICES
    THIS INFORMATION IS FROM THE NIGERIA PORT AUTHORITY FOR AUCTION >Custom Auctions Is Up Again and Granting Nigerians the

    Privilege to Own Vehicles at Affordable RatesFOR MORE INFORMATION Call or message on WhatsApp 07O ___-6875 __-7992
    RICE AVAILABLE FOR SALES ARE :-
    MamaGold=30,500
    Royal umbrella=30,500
    Mama Gold=30,500
    Rising sun=30,500
    Mama Africa=30,500
    Elephant Gold=30,500
    Caprice =30,500
    NOTE: Delivery fee IS (#5000) which must be paid before we ensure your delivery..
    *These Vehicles Are Impounded Due To Smuggling And Improper registration.*
    *These Vehicles Are Direct Tokunbo and Has Never Been Used In Nigeria.*.For any purchase
    Call the officer
    07O -6875 _-7992
    #TOYOTA
    TOYOTA CAMRY ₦2.2 650,000
    TOYOTA CAMRY ₦2.4 850,000
    TOYOTA COROLLA ₦900,000
    TOYOTA MATRIX ₦800,000
    TOYOTA SIENNA ₦950,000
    TOYOTA RAV4 ₦1.2 MILLION
    TOYOTA VENZA ₦3.5 MILLION
    TOYOTA CAMRY SPIDER ₦1.8 MILLION
    TOYOTA HIACE BUS ₦2.5 MILLION
    TOYOTA PRADO ₦4 MILLION
    TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ₦1.8 MILLION
    •Toyota Land Cruiser-N1.3m
    •Toyota Prado N1.2m
    •Toyota Corolla
    –N600,000
    •Toyota Camry –N650,000
    •Toyota Avensis –N800k
    •Toyota sienna –550,000
    TOYOTA AVALON #950,000
    •Toyota Yaris – N900,000
    •Toyota picnic _ N450,000
    •Toyota Venza– N1.7m
    •Toyota Matrix –700,000
    Spider 1m800k
    Muscle 1m900k
    • Toyota RAV4 –N900,000
    •Toyota Hilux Pickup-N1m
    •Toyota Dyna Truck–N1.3million
    •Toyota 4 Runner–N1m
    tundra 2.670,000
    tacoma 2.5Million
    •Toyota Hiace Bus –N1.5m
    •Toyota Highlander-N1.2m
    •Toyota Big daddy-800k

    Toyota Camry Big Daddy=N550,000.
    Toyota Camry Tiny-Light=N400,000.
    Toyota Avenza =N950,000. To 1.3 million
    Toyota Hilux=N 1.2 million
    Toyota Avensis=N450,000.
    Toyota Camry Muscle=N 600,000. & Spider=N650,000.
    Toyota Avalon=N600,000.
    Toyota Rav4 SUV=N850,000.
    Toyota Sienna=N600,000.
    Toyota 4Runner=N800,000.
    Toyota Tundra=N 1.8 Million
    Toyota picnic=N450,000.
    Toyota Highlander=N1m550,000. to 2m
    Toyota Corolla=N500,000.
    Toyota Prado=N950,000. To 3.4 million
    Toyota LandCruisser=N950,000. to 3m
    Toyota Yaris=N750.000.
    Toyota Matrix=N550,000.
    Toyota Haice Bus=N 950,000 to N 1.3 Million
    Toyota Camry 2.4M Tiny-Light ₦850.000
    Toyota Camry Big-Daddy ₦950.000
    Toyota Camry Muscle ₦1.2M
    Toyota Camry Spider ₦1.3M
    Toyota Avalon ₦2.2M
    Toyota Avensis ₦1.2M
    Toyota Corolla ₦950.000
    Toyota Yaris ₦1.2M
    Toyota Matrix ₦900.000
    Toyota Picnic ₦1.1M
    Toyota Sienna ₦2.1M
    Toyota Venza ₦3.2M
    Toyota Rav4 ₦1.1M
    Toyota 4Runner ₦1.8M
    Toyota Hiace-Bus ₦2.9M
    Toyota Highlander ₦2.3M
    Toyota Land Cruiser ₦4.6M
    Toyota Tundra ₦4.8M
    Toyota Prado ₦5.3M
    #HONDA
    HONDA ACCORD ₦700,000
    HONDA PILOT ₦1.2 MILLION
    HONDA EOD ₦850,000
    HONDA ODYSSEY ₦1MILLION
    Honda Baby Boy= ₦780,000
    Honda Accord EOD= ₦950,000
    Honda City= ₦750,000
    Honda Crosstour= ₦1.2M
    Honda CR-V= ₦950k
    Honda Odyssey= ₦850,000
    Honda Pilot= ₦1Million
    Honda Pilot=N950,000.
    Honda Baby Boy=N500,000.
    Honda End of Discussion(EOD)=N550,000.
    Honda Accord=N500,000.
    Honda CRV=N800,000.
    Honda Accord ₦950,000
    Honda City ₦850,000
    Honda Civic ₦950.000
    Honda C-RV ₦1.5M
    Honda Crosstour ₦1.2M
    Honda Element ₦950.000
    Honda Evilspirit ₦1.1M
    Honda Odyssey ₦1.2M
    Honda Pilot ₦2.3M

    *Prices of some Volswagen cars:
    Golf 2-250,000
    Golf 3-N300,000
    Golf4-350,000
    Golf 5 -N550,000
    Jetta-N350,000
    Passat-N450,000
    #LEXUS
    LEXUS Es300 ₦1.3 MILLION
    LEXUS Es330 ₦1.6 MILLION
    LEXUS Es350 ₦2 MILLION
    LEXUS Rx300 ₦1.7 MILLION
    LEXUS Rx330 ₦3 MILLION
    LEXUS Rx350 ₦4 MILLION
    LEXUS RX400 ₦3.5 MILLION
    LEXUS GX460 ₦4 MILLION
    LEXUS GX470 ₦5 MILLION
    LEXUS ES300@#1.3 MILLION
    LEXUS ES330@#1.6 MILLION
    LEXUS ES350@#2 MILLION
    LEXUS RX300@#1.7 MILLION
    LEXUS RX330@#3 MILLION
    LEXUS RX350@#4 MILLION
    LEXUS RX400@#3.5 MILLION
    LEXUS GX460@#4 MILLION
    LEXUS GX470@#5 MILLION
    Lexus GX460=₦6.6M
    Lexus GX470=₦8.4M
    Lexus GX570=₦13.8M
    Lexus IS-250=₦2.1M
    Lexus ES-330=₦1.5M
    Lexus ES-350=₦2.6M
    Lexus RX300= ₦1.5M
    Lexus RX330= ₦2.8M
    Lexus RX350= ₦3.2M.
    Lexus Rx300=N800,000. To N2.1 Million
    Lexus Rx330=N850,000 To N2.2 Million
    Lexus Rx350=N900,000 To N3.3 Million
    Lexus Rx470=N3.m
    Lexus Rx330 ₦2.1M
    Lexus Rx350 ₦4.1M
    Lexus Rx400 ₦5.4M
    Lexus Gx470₦7M
    #MERCEDES
    MERCEDES C240 ₦1.3 MILLION
    MERCEDES C300 ₦1.7 MILLION
    MERCEDES ML350 ₦2.8 MILLION
    MERCEDES GLK350 ₦3.8 MILLION
    MERCEDES GL470 ₦4 Million.etc.
    BENZ C-CLASS ₦3,000,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 4.6M
    MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class ₦3,500,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class ₦4,000,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ GLK ₦4,500,000
    MERCEDES BENZ ML₦5,000,000
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦1.5 million
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦1.7 million
    Mercedes-Benz G-Class ₦2.5 million
    Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦3.5 Million
    Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4.8MILLION
    Mercedes Benz ML350 ₦2.3 million
    Mercedes Benz g-wagon ₦125 million.
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦3.5M
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦3.9M
    Mercedes-Benz G-Class ₦3.8M
    Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦4.6M
    Mercedes Benz ML₦5.6M
    Nissan pathfinder= ₦1.9M
    Nissan Altima= ₦1.820,000
    Nissan Armanda= ₦1.2M
    Nissan Murano 950,000
    Nissan Murano=N850,000. to N 1.2 Million
    Nissan Pathinder=N800,000. To N 1 million
    Nissan Altima=N800,000.
    Nissan Maxima=N600,000.
    Nissan Altima ₦1.2M
    Nissan Armada ₦2.3M
    Nissan Maxima N1M
    Nissan Murano ₦1.4M
    Nissan Primera ₦900,000
    Nissan Pathfinder ₦1.5M
    Nissan Maxima= ₦1.600,000.e.t.c.

    Range rover vogue 8mill
    Range rover sport HSE 4.8m
    Land rover 3.3m
    Land Rover Discovery ₦4.8M
    Land Rover Freelander ₦5.5M
    Land Rover Vogue ₦5.2M
    Range Rover Sport. ₦5.5M

    Acura ZDX 1.550,000
    Acura MDX 1.6m
    Acura TL ₦1.2M
    Acura MDX ₦2.2M
    Acura ZDX ₦1.9M

    MANY MORE EXCLUSIVE OFFER'S LIKE.....
    LAPTOPS, GENERATOR'S, FRIDGE, CONTAINERS, PHONE, MOTORCYCLE, AND KEKE.... Bales of Okirika Clothes 50kg for #35,000, 100kg for #75,000 and 150kg for #180,000

    👉KEKE MARUWA.
    Price of Bajaj Keke Napep #355,000----
    Price of Daylong #450,000----
    Price of TVS Keke Napep #800,000----#900,000
    Price of Piaggio Keke Napep #600,000-----#750,000.

    👉 CONTACT 07O -6875 _-7992
    Bags of cement #5,500
    Delivery cost is #1,000

    EVERY BUYER IS EXPECTED TO PAY FOR THE DOCUMENTS OF THE VEHICLES BEFORE THE DELIVERY WILL COMMENCE!!!!WE DELIVER NATION WIDE NOTICE INSTALLMENTAL PAYMENT IS ALLOWED!!! ONLY INTERESTED BUYERS SHOULD CONTACT: THE OFFICER 07O -6875 _-7992THANKS FOR PATRONIZING WITH US.📞📞〽.〽.〽.

Recent Posts

Microsoft to Invest $80 Billion in Data Centers for AI and Cloud Development in Fiscal 2025

Microsoft is planning to invest about $80 billion in fiscal 2025 on developing data centers…

3 hours ago

Taiwan Alleges Rising Chinese Disinformation to Destabilise Democracy and US Relations

Taiwan has accused China of escalating disinformation campaigns and military threats to undermine its democracy…

3 hours ago

US Justice Department Urges Supreme Court To Reject Trump’s Request To Delay TikTok Ban

US DOJ has asked Supreme Court to reject Trump’s delay request for TikTok ban, citing…

3 hours ago

Nicki Minaj Sued for Assault, Emotional Distress by Former Tour Employee

Nicki Minaj is facing lawsuit for assault and emotional distress after allegedly attacking a former…

3 hours ago

Biden Set to Ban New Oil Drilling in Vast US Atlantic and Pacific Waters

President Biden is reportedly planning to ban new oil drilling across extensive areas of US…

4 hours ago

US Plans $8 Billion Arms Sale to Israel, US Official Confirms

A US official has confirmed plans for an $8 billion arms sale to Israel amid…

4 hours ago