A popular Nigerian lawyer, Malcolm Imirhobo, has backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill.
The lawyer made his stance known in a statement on Friday night through his official X account.
His statement comes amid the lingering back and front regarding the recent Tax Reform Bill sent to the National Assembly.
DAILY POST reports that the National Economic Council, consisting of governors, had asked Tinubu to withdraw the bill while it called for further consultations.
This comes as Northern governors rejected the bill.
However, Tinubu’s government rejected the NEC’s advice and ignored the Northern governors stance on the bill.
According to the President, the bill should follow due consideration at the National Assembly, while any necessary inputs or amendments can be done at the public hearing of the bill.
Reacting in a statement, Imirhobo said he supports the tax reform bill because it will correct tax distribution inequalities.
According to him, the Northern Nigerian has been robbing the South region for decades.
He noted that states in Nigeria should contribute their quarter to the country’s revenue, saying that the North cannot continue to reap where it did not sow.
Imirhobo added that the tax reform bill is a prerequisite if the country is serious about returning to a regional government.
“I support the tax reform bill because it will correct tax distribution inequalities. The North has been robbing and raping the South for decades; it has to stop.
“If we sincerely want to return to the regional government and want this country to make progress, tax reform is sine qua non.
“Every state must bring something to the table; the North cannot continue to reap where it did not sow,” he said.
Recall that four days ago, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, had explained that the bill will bring a fairer tax system to the country.
In October 2024, Tinubu sent the tax reform bills to Nigeria’s National Assembly for consideration.
Tax Reform Bill: North can’t reap where it didn’t sow – Imirhobo backs Tinubu