Reps postpone special session on tax reform bills for broader consultations
The House of Representatives has postponed its special session on tax reform bill.
The session was initially scheduled to be held on Tuesday.
In a memo issued on Saturday, Yahaya Danzaria, clerk of the house of representatives, said a new date will be communicated to lawmakers.
“I am directed by the House Leadership to inform all Honourable Members that the Special Session, initially scheduled for Tuesday, 3rd December, 2024, to discuss all the Tax Reform Bills, has been postponed to a later date,” the memo reads.
“This rescheduling is due to the need for further and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders.
“A new date and venue for the session will be communicated in due course. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding”.
The bills passed second reading at the senate on Thursday.
On October 3, President Bola Tinubu asked the national assembly to consider and pass four tax reform bills.
On October 28, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) opposed the bills, saying the proposed legislations would harm the region’s interests.
The governors asked the national assembly to reject the bills, demanding equitable and fair implementation of national policies and programmes across all regions.
The national economic council (NEC) also asked Tinubu to withdraw the bills to give room for consultations.
On November 1, Tinubu said the bills will not be withdrawn from the national assembly, noting that the proposed laws were designed to improve the lives of Nigerians and optimise existing tax frameworks.
Former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, said the bills are an attempt to “colonise the north”.