House of Representatives members would back President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills at the expense of supporting their state governors, who have demanded that the proposed laws be withdrawn, according to Rep. Philip Agbese, the deputy spokesman for the House of Representatives.

Lawmakers are willing to lend their support to the four executive laws because they see them as stimulants for economic expansion, Agbese said.

Additionally, he said that if politicians from their states continue to support the measures, some state governors are threatening to deny them return tickets in the 2027 election.

In response to the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, which was led by Taiwo Oyedele, to examine the current tax laws, the President forwarded four tax reform proposals to the National Assembly for examination on September 3, 2024.

Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is anticipated to establish the country’s fiscal framework for taxation, and the Tax Administration Bill, which would give all taxes in the nation a clear and simple legal framework and lessen disputes, are among the bills.

A tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman will be established by the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, while the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill would repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and form the Nigeria Revenue Service.

But citing the need for additional public input and deliberation, the 36 state governors have called for the executive laws to be withdrawn.

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The President, meantime, has disregarded the governors’ advice, stating that changes to some provisions can be made when the measures are debated in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“As far as the House of Representatives is concerned, no one can stop us from supporting President Bola Tinubu to work for the country by rebooting the economy,” he remarked.

To make sure the nation functions, we are working together across party lines. It is Speaker Tajudeen Abass’s disposition.

Governors from their states are being threatened by some of these individuals. In order to get members to approve the proposals, they have even threatened to deny them a return trip in 2027.

Citing Isaiah 54:15, Agbese stated, “Look, they will undoubtedly come together, but not by my direction.” Anyone who assembles against you will fall for your sake.

He stated, “The difference between the new crops of politicians in the House of Representatives is that we are intellectually sound, progressively-minded, and pro-Nigeria,” warning that lawmakers in the 10th Assembly cannot be pressured to adopt a stance that is not in the best interests of their representatives.

“We were elected by our constituents, not the governors, and we will wholeheartedly, firmly, and unequivocally support the legislation (bills) to see it through to completion as long as it will benefit those who elected us.”

In addition, he stated that parliamentarians had been provided copies of the measures to facilitate their comprehension prior to the second reading.

The proposed legislation is expected to pass with some changes where needed, he said, adding that “we have made the bills available to every lawmaker to study, dissect, and make inputs when we bring them up for debate.”

In my opinion, the 10th House will approve the legislation with a few minor revisions to add a dash of intellectualism and patriotism.

“That’s our standard practice whenever a teacher is in charge of a parliament anywhere in the world,” he continued.