The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has vehemently denied allegations by some northern leaders that the committee failed to consult with state governors before drafting the proposed tax reform bill.
In a recent interview, Oyedele attributed the limited engagement with governors to their lack of cooperation, revealing a pattern of canceled meetings and a general disinterest in the crucial reform process.
Oyedele’s rebuttal follows claims by prominent northern figure Buba Galadima, who alleged during an appearance on Arise Television that the committee had neglected to consult with northern leaders and had primarily engaged with the governor of Lagos State.
Governors’ Lack of Cooperation Stalled Consultations
However, Oyedele countered these claims, stating that despite extensive efforts to engage with governors from all six geopolitical zones, only Lagos State’s governor actively participated in the tax reform bill consultation process. He revealed that, although the governor of Kaduna State initially agreed to meet, his deputy ultimately attended the meeting.
“The other governor who was willing to welcome us was the governor of Kaduna State. And after all the logistics, we agreed on the date, but on that day he wasn’t able to attend. It was the deputy governor that hosted us. I will not name the other governors, but I can actually if I need to. They didn’t have time for us,” Oyedele stated.
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Multiple Meetings with Governors Cancelled
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum repeatedly set back the committee’s engagement attempts. Oyedele disclosed that the Forum invited the committee to four meetings, but they canceled all of them.
“And I said, your excellencies, we have a lot to talk about. They said, tell us how our revenues will go up. Even that, we couldn’t say in 15 minutes. We had a half a day engagement with the finance commissioners from across Nigeria. We’ve had more than four engagements with the heads of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from all over Nigeria,” Oyedele explained.
He further lamented that on the fifth attempt to meet with the governors, the committee was granted only 15 minutes for a crucial discussion after waiting until 1:30 am.
Extensive Consultations with Other Stakeholders
Despite the challenges faced in engaging with governors, Oyedele emphasized that the committee undertook extensive consultations with a diverse range of stakeholders across the country. These consultations included:
Engagement with over 120 Muslim clerics, primarily from the north: This step aimed to address concerns and seek input from religious leaders on the potential impact of the tax reforms on the Muslim community.
Consultations with the League of Northern Democrats: This engagement ensured that the views and perspectives of a significant political bloc in the north were considered.
Meetings with over 20 government institutions: This ensured that the proposed reforms aligned with the broader policy objectives of the government.
Engagement with the private sector: This included consultations with manufacturers, women in business, and SMEs to understand the potential impact of the reforms on the private sector and to address their concerns.
Engagement with over 40 different sectors, including FinTech: This comprehensive approach ensured that the reforms considered the needs and perspectives of various sectors of the economy.
Involvement of 45 students from 22 universities across Nigeria: This step ensured that the views and perspectives of future generations were incorporated into the reform process.
Expeditious Reform Process Driven by Urgency
Oyedele justified the expedited compilation of the tax reforms by highlighting the urgency of the situation. “Nigeria cannot afford to waste time,” he stated, emphasizing the need to swiftly address the country’s economic challenges and put it on a path to sustainable development.
If You Ask Me
The tax reform bill process has been marked by both progress and challenges. While the committee has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, the lack of cooperation from many state governors has presented a significant obstacle.
Oyedele’s rebuttal underscores the importance of inclusive and transparent consultation processes in shaping critical policy reforms. Moving forward, it is crucial to ensure that all relevant stakeholders, including state governments, are actively involved in the decision-making process to ensure the successful implementation of the proposed tax reforms and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth and development.
