As the House of Representatives prepares to resume plenary on Tuesday, a significant setback has emerged for the leadership’s efforts to push a unified stance on the contentious Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly. The meeting scheduled for today (Monday) to address the issue, called by the APC Caucus, has been abruptly cancelled, sparking speculation about the underlying reasons for the delay.
Sources informed the Nigerian Tribune that the scheduled meeting, intended to discuss key legislative priorities and foster unity within the ruling party, made no mention of the controversial tax reform bills in its official agenda. The meeting’s cancellation was conveyed in an internal memo, signed by House Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, which emphasized fostering party unity and discussing pressing national issues, such as economic reforms and security. The memo notably excluded any mention of the Tax Reform Bills, further raising eyebrows within the party.
Further developments indicate that the meeting was postponed in a last-minute decision communicated to members by House spokesman Hon. Akin Rotimi. The brief statement, which did not offer a reason for the postponement, thanked lawmakers for their understanding and assured that a new date would be announced soon.
The Tax Reform Bills, which include four major pieces of legislation—the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and Nigeria Tax Bill—passed their second reading in the Senate last Thursday. However, the bills have faced strong opposition, particularly from northern lawmakers, who argue that the proposed legislation could negatively affect the region’s economic interests.
The postponement of the meeting seems to be a response to the growing dissent from northern leaders, who have been actively mobilizing opposition to the bills. Sources within the Green Chamber suggest that the sudden cancellation of the caucus meeting was likely due to fears of a potential showdown with northern lawmakers, whose discontent with the legislation has been mounting. It is also believed that the presidency is attempting to rally support for the bills from lawmakers in the North, including Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, a member of the opposition New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), who has reportedly been tasked with convincing colleagues to back the reforms.
Meanwhile, the tension over the bills is not confined to the North. Lawmakers from the South have shown a noticeable indifference to the legislation, with many expressing frustration over what they perceive as the ruling party’s failure to address their concerns. One lawmaker from the South-West pointed out that the perceived marginalization of southern lawmakers in terms of committee appointments has contributed to their reluctance to fully back the tax reform bills. He noted that while northern lawmakers have been vocally opposed, southern lawmakers seem disengaged due to a lack of genuine engagement by the leadership.
Compounding the issue, the APC National Working Committee (NWC), under the leadership of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has made no moves to intervene in the growing discontent. A member of the NWC told the Nigerian Tribune that the party is taking a hands-off approach, allowing the legislative process to unfold without interference. This attitude reflects a broader understanding within the party that, while the APC holds a majority in both chambers of the National Assembly, it is ultimately up to lawmakers to determine the fate of the bills.
With the special session on the Tax Reform Bills now postponed indefinitely, the future of the legislation remains uncertain. The House Clerk, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, issued a memo to all lawmakers, citing the need for “further and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders” as the reason for the delay. The new date for the session will be announced in due course.
As the political storm surrounding the bills continues to brew, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the government can reconcile the divergent views within the ruling party and secure the passage of the controversial tax reforms.
Gathered by: Onoro Promise Edesiri