A House of Representatives member representing Gaya, Ajingi, and Albasu Federal Constituency, Mustapha Ghali, has revealed how he was lobbied by a fellow lawmaker from the southern region to support the controversial tax reform bills presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu.
Mr Ghali, who is a member of the New Nigerian People’s Party, NNPP, said the push for the passage of the bills has raised suspicions of ulterior motives by proponents of the bills.
The lawmaker stated this while speaking to journalists in Kano on Monday.
According to him, Nigeria is not yet ripe for the implementation of the proposed tax reform bills.
He said similar reforms are working effectively in other countries because the government had provided a conducive environment for the well being of the citizens.
He said: “There was an influential member from the South that met me and said, Dr Ghali, you are privileged to have the wherewithal to stand and speak, and you usually get the support of your fellow members.
“We have come to strike a deal with you today. We want you to support these tax reform bills.
“He told me that their reason was that when it is passed, Kano will also benefit alongside Lagos. If Kano benefitted, you will also benefit.
“I said to him he is right, but I want Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara Sokoto, Kebbi also to benefit.
“My reason was if today I have a problem in Kano, before you come to my rescue from Lagos, I have called one from Jigawa, I have called someone from Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger.
“So, even if Kano will benefit, what of my neighbours, those that I have always been at peace with?
“This indicates that these people have an ulterior motive. The good thing is all northern legislators have all sat and are working towards containing the issue.
“We all have our own priorities from our people that we are representing. Your interest should not be conflicting or against the other region. This is why we are telling people to stop fighting for political differences but for the success of our region.”
He, however, called on Northern stakeholders to unite and speak with one voice to stop the move towards implementation of the bills.
“Several countries across the world have implemented the tax reform bill and it is working for them. But at what point?
“You have to provide a conducive environment and development such as employment, hospitals, schools, and other social amenities for the populace.
“Take, for instance, England, the United Arab Emirates, UAE and Saudi Arabia, where they implemented the bill and it is working for them.
“The government was able to do so based on the development provided and taxes collected from the well to do to ensure the sustainability of the developmental projects.
“So what we are saying is Nigeria is not yet ripe for the implementation of the proposed bill. It is not like we totally rejected it but the government has to provide the development and conducive environment before implementing the tax reform bill.
“I, however, appeal to northern lawmakers, governors, elders, businessmen and women, academicians, and all relevant stakeholders to put heads together to ensure that the bill is set aside,” he said.
Speaking on his achievements in office, he said he had sponsored over 10 bills on the floor of the House, including the bill seeking the establishment of a Federal Medical College in Gaya.
