Tax Reform: Negotiate Instead of Dropping Bills, Oshiomhole Urges Governors
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has called on state governors opposing President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills to engage in constructive negotiations rather than push for the bills to be dropped.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Oshiomhole, who is also a former governor of Edo State, emphasized the importance of debate and negotiation in shaping the reforms. He urged stakeholders to focus on public hearings as the platform to refine the bills, rather than dismissing them outright.
Responding to claims that the bills may favor specific regions, Oshiomhole warned against framing the debate along ethnic or religious lines, arguing that such approaches undermine truth and reason. He encouraged Nigerians to evaluate the reforms objectively, noting that no one in a democracy gets everything they want but achieves outcomes through negotiation.
“It is the Nigerian people who should look at these things constructively and ask: ‘Is it in our interest?’” Oshiomhole said.
He further advised President Tinubu not to expect the bills to return to him in their original form, highlighting the iterative nature of legislative processes.
The tax reform bills, introduced as part of the administration’s broader economic agenda, have faced resistance from some governors who argue that the proposed changes may place undue burdens on their states. However, Oshiomhole’s comments suggest a path forward through dialogue and compromise, underscoring the collaborative spirit necessary to advance the country’s economic goals.
