Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, has asked national assembly to ensure that content of the proposed tax reform bills aligns with interests of citizens in its final analysis.
Gatekeepers News reports that the 2023 People Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate issued the advice through a post on X on Sunday.
Atiku said the public hearing process must facilitate open and inclusive participation by all stakeholders.
Recall that Senate passed the four tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu for a second reading on November 28. A public gearing on the bulls will be held in the coming weeks.
Atiku emphasised the need for objectivity and transparency in the conduct of the public hearing by the national assembly.
He wrote, “I have followed the intense public discourse on the Tax Reform Bills with keen interest.”
“Nigerians are united in their call for a fiscal system that promotes justice, fairness, and equity.”
“They are loud and clear that the fiscal system we seek to promote must not exacerbate the uneven development of the federating units by enhancing the status of a few states while unduly penalising others.”
“I call for objectivity and transparency in the conduct of the public hearing being organised by our representatives in the National Assembly.”
“As a concerned stakeholder, I firmly believe that transparency and objectivity are essential for promoting accountability, good governance, and public trust in policy-making.”
“The public hearing process must facilitate open and inclusive participation by all stakeholders, including civil society organisations, traditional institutions, politicians, public officials, and subject matter experts.”
“The NASS must be appropriately guided and ensure that in the final analysis, the contents of the Bills align with the interests of the vast majority of Nigerians.”
The politician urged national assembly to review and disclose the resolutions of national economic council (NEC) on the tax reform bills.
