The Nigerian Senate, during its plenary session on Thursday, announced a last-minute change in the membership of the committee scheduled to meet with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) over contentious tax reform bills.
Senator Tahir Mungono (APC, Borno North), the Chief Whip, was replaced by Senator Kaka Shehu (APC, Borno Central) as the representative for the North East geo-political zone. This decision aligns with the Senate’s resolution that principal officers of the red chamber should not be part of the meeting, allowing only committee members to engage with the AGF.
The committee, formed on Wednesday, is a 10-member panel chaired by Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), the Minority Leader. Its primary task is to address the “grey areas” in the tax reform bills that have sparked widespread opposition. The committee was set up following heated debates about the reforms, which aim to overhaul Nigeria’s tax system but have drawn criticism from various stakeholders.
Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) defended the choice of Senator Moro as chairman, emphasizing that it was intended to “ensure transparency” in the committee’s engagements.
During the plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio subjected the debate to a voice vote. Following the outcome, he declared, “The ‘ayes’ have it,” effectively endorsing the changes.
The tax reform bills, central to the government’s economic agenda, have generated significant controversy, with concerns about their potential impact on businesses and ordinary citizens. Thursday’s meeting between the committee and the AGF is seen as critical to resolving the disagreements and finding a way forward.
Stakeholders across the country are watching closely as the Senate works to strike a balance between necessary tax reforms and public acceptance.
