Tax Bill: House Of Reps Suspends Debate As Tension Mounts

Following the controversies that have trailed the Tax Reform Bill, the House of Representatives has suspended indefinitely the debate on it. The debate over the bill was earlier billed to start on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

However, a memo from the Clerk of the House dated November 30, 2024 said the debate over the bill has been put on hold for further consultations.

The magazine reported that the Four Tax Bills sent to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has created a serious gulf among the regions in the country. While key leaders from the southern parts of the country have thrown their weight behind the bill, not so with prominent northern leaders who said the region will be shortchanged in the new arrangement.

Those against the bills said more rooms should be allowed for wider consultations among key stakeholders in the country.

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state and the 2023  Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential candidate, on Sunday, urged  the National Assembly to consult more before passing the bills.

The bills, the magazine reported, passed both first and second reading in the House of representatives last week. ’

However, the House of Representatives memo suspending the debate on the bill read, “I am directed by the House leadership to inform all Honourable Members that the special session, initially scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2024, to discuss all the tax reform bills, has been postponed to a later date.

“This rescheduling is due to the need for further and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders. A new date and venue for the session will be communicated in due course. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.”

In September President Tinubu sent to NASS four bills including the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024 -SB.583; The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) BILL, 2024- SB.584; The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024-SB.585; and the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024 – SB.586.