Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has
stated that the 36 state governors are calling for broader consultation on
President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills to ensure the inclusion of
perspectives from across the nation.
While expressing support for the bills, Makinde
clarified that his position reflects the collective demand of the governors for
wider engagement on the matter. He emphasized that his intention is not to
oppose the bills but to advocate for a more inclusive process.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on
Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde provided further clarification during a
media chat on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State on Saturday. He
explained that the National Economic Council (NEC) had discussed the bills and
reached a unanimous decision to request their withdrawal from the National
Assembly for further consultation.
Makinde recounted, “During the NEC meeting, we
inquired about the status of the bills from the Chairman of the Presidential
Task Force. He confirmed that the bills were already before the National
Assembly. I then asked, ‘If that’s the case, why are you just coming to us for
approval?’ It seemed to be putting the cart before the horse.”
The governor explained that the consensus within the
NEC was to withdraw the bills, allowing for more extensive consultations with
relevant stakeholders. He noted that this would enable potential adjustments to
the bills, either in their original form or after incorporating feedback from
those consultations.
Addressing criticisms that he was against the reforms,
Makinde clarified, “When I was asked to explain why we recommended the
withdrawal of the bills for consultation, some people chose to focus on
attacking me personally rather than engaging with the message we were
delivering.”
Makinde’s remarks underline the governors’ desire for
a more collaborative approach to the proposed tax reforms, ensuring that all
relevant voices are heard before any final decisions are made.
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