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Heavens Won’t Fall – Senator Dickson Speaks On Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), has said the National Assembly will pass the tax reform bills despite opposition from different quarters.
Dickson, in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Monday, said the bills would be passed like the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), stressing that heavens would not fall when the tax bills are consequently passed.
President Tinubu had on October 3, 2024, transmitted to the National Assembly, four tax reform bills, in a letter, read by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajuddeen Abbas, during separate plenaries of the two chambers.
Tinubu said the bills would bolster Nigeria’s fiscal institutions, adding that they were in line with his government’s broader development objectives for the country.
But Nigerians including some governors, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, federal lawmakers and others have kicked against the bills.
Recall that the Senate had last week passed the bills for second reading while the House of Representatives is yet to act on the bills.
Senator Dickson also dispelled the claim that the planned public hearing on the bills could be chaotic if proper consultations were not done, and urged those opposed to the bills to attend the public hearing with facts if they have issues with any sections of the proposed fiscal legislations.
Dickson, former Governor of Bayelsa State said, “The PIA was passed. We wanted 10% which was what Yar’adua proposed. They (federal lawmakers) reduced it to 3%. Heaven did not fall. This tax reform bills will pass and heavens will not fall.
“The Senate has passed the bills for second reading. Public hearing will take place and people should get ready to present their positions. The tax bill is a proposed law like every other and it has to go through the normal legislative process.
“Right now, taxes from Bayelsa State are paid to Lagos State and I don’t want that to continue. When there is consumption of any goods or services from any state it should be calculated and paid to that state.
“Now there is an opportunity to review the tax laws, to correct the anomalies and that is why I’m in support. I know there are states that are feeling that when they apply the new sharing formula, they will earn less. It’s for them to raise those issues and bring the statistics. I don’t go by sentiments. I go by what is right and in the national interest.”
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Netizens Slam Lawmakers As They Sing Tinubu’s Anthem At Budget Presentation
Netizens slam lawmakers after they were sighted singing “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand” as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took the stage to present the 2025 national budget.
The incident, which is in a viral video clip, showed the lawmakers singing the song, which has become synonymous with Tinubu’s political supporters.
The gesture, however, has ignited outrage among Nigerians, who questioned its appropriateness in light of the country’s current economic challenges.
Many critics took to social media to express their disappointment, describing the act as insensitive and unprofessional. They argued that lawmakers should focus on addressing pressing national issues, such as a inflation, unemployment, and hardship, rather than engaging in political theatrics with Tinubu during a crucial budget session.
“What kind of leadership did we vote for? Instead of scrutinizing the budget and ensuring accountability, they’re busy singing praises,” one commenter wrote.
Others questioned the mandate the lawmakers you were celebrating, with some accusing them of being disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians. “What mandate are they standing on when the citizens are struggling to make ends meet?” another critic remarked.
The 2025 budget presentation, meant to outline the government’s financial plans and priorities for the year, has now been overshadowed by this controversy, with many calling for lawmakers to prioritize governance over partisan loyalty.
Read some netizens’ reactions as lawmakers sings for Tinubu during budget presentation;
@emeka: This is really problematic 🤣🤣
@agwai: This is the reason the president don’t do well in Nigeria because the people around him feed him with lies. And praise him when things is not good. Just clapping
@abyusuf: The lawmaker’s rendition of “On Your Mandate” should serve as a wake-up call, reminding us that it’s time to take a closer look at the people we’ve elected to represent us.
@danleety: I now believe there’s serious disconnect between the lawmakers and their constituents.
News
Tax Reforms: Those criticising it lack knowledge -Akpabio
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has flayed critics of President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms as lacking an understanding of what the initiatives were truly about.
Akpabio disclosed this during his remarks at the presentation of the 2025 budget estimate by President Tinubu to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.
He said, “Your Excellency, we commend you on your groundbreaking tax reform initiative. The four tax reform bills—the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024; and Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024—represent a monumental shift in our fiscal landscape.
It is disheartening that those who have not taken the time to understand these bills are the loudest critics. I urge all Nigerians, especially those in public office, to engage with these vital reforms thoughtfully. This initiative marks the first comprehensive tax reform since Nigeria’s independence, presenting a transformative opportunity for rejuvenating small and medium enterprises and enhancing the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.
“These reforms will not only improve Nigeria’s revenue profile but also create a more conducive and internationally competitive business environment, transforming our tax system to support sustainable development.”
News
Tinubu presents N47.9trn 2025 Resurrection Budget
Defence and insecurity , infrastructure, health and education were some of the sectors with high allocations in the N47.9tn Budget Proposal presented by President Bola Tinubu before a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon.
“It is with great pleasure that I lay before this distinguished joint session of the National Assembly, the 2025 Budget of the National Assembly of Nigeria titled, ‘The Resurrection Budget’ security peace, building prosperity,” Tinubu said as he concluded his 30-minute speech at 1:10pm on Wednesday.
Earlier in his presentation, the President listed some of the highlights of the budget as defence and security – N4.91tn, infrastructure – N4.06tn, health – N2.4tn, education – N3.5tn, among others.
He expressed commitment to economic renewal, thanking all Nigerians for embarking on the journey of reform and transformation in the last 18 months together.
The President said the economy is responding to stimulus and that his government would continue to take the right steps for economic progress. “The reforms yielding results, no reversals,” he said.
Tinubu stressed that food security is non-negotiable, adding that the government is taking steps to ensure Nigerians feed and not go to bed hungry.
Tinubu said, “Our 2025 is not just another statement of projected government revenue and expenditure; it is one that calls for action.
It is disheartening that those who have not taken the time to understand these bills are the loudest critics. I urge all Nigerians, especially those in public office, to engage with these vital reforms thoughtfully. This initiative marks the first comprehensive tax reform since Nigeria’s independence, presenting a transformative opportunity for rejuvenating small and medium enterprises and enhancing the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.
“These reforms will not only improve Nigeria’s revenue profile but also create a more conducive and internationally competitive business environment, transforming our tax system to support sustainable development.”
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