The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has issued a warning to Nigerians and leaders to exercise caution in their opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills.
Idris stated that the president is committed to accountability on tax bills and will always act in the best interest of Nigerians.
The minister made this statement on Wednesday in Abuja, while reacting to the ongoing nationwide debate on the new tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly. He commended Nigerians for coming out to express their views and opinions on the bills, describing it as “the very essence and meaning of democracy.”
Idris, however, cautioned that all commentators and groups should strive to be respectful and understanding, despite their diversity of opinions.
He emphasized that there should be no room for name-calling or the injection of unnecessary ethnic and regional slurs into the national conversation.
The minister also warned against the spread of misinformation and fake news circulating around the tax bills and the overall reform agenda of the Tinubu administration.
He said, “In the spirit of democratic engagement, there should be no room for name-calling or for the injection of unnecessary ethnic and regional slurs into this important national conversation.
“Similarly, it is important to be aware that there is a lot of misinformation and fake news circulating around the tax bills and the overall reform agenda of the Tinubu administration.
“The fiscal reforms will not impoverish any state or region of the country, neither will they lead to the scrapping or weakening of any federal agency.
“Instead, they will bring relief to tens of millions of hard-working Nigerians across the country and empower and position our states and the 774 local governments for sustainable growth and development,” he stated.
The minister explained that President Tinubu is implementing an ambitious fiscal reform agenda that would devolve more resources to states and local governments and ultimately, to Nigerians. He emphasized that the government has nothing sinister to warrant the suggestion that the process is being rushed.
Idris added that the Federal Government welcomes meaningful inputs that could address whatever possible grey areas in the bills.
He disclosed that President Tinubu has already directed the Federal Ministry of Justice and relevant officials who worked on the drafts to work closely with the National Assembly to ensure that all genuine concerns have been addressed before the bills are passed.
The minister expressed optimism that the reforms would facilitate increased revenues without imposing additional tax burdens on the people. He also stated that the reforms would make it possible for citizens to demand and enjoy greater accountability in the management of public resources at all levels of government.
