The Democratic Front (TDF) has thrown its weight behind the latest position of Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.

In a statement on Friday signed by Malam Danjuma Muhammad, its Chairman and Chief Wale Adedayo, Secretary, the group described the governor’s change of position as a good development.

The group said it agreed with the view expressed by Sule on Arise Television that the initial opposition from the northern state governors against the tax reform was propelled by a lack of understanding of the bill.

“This, for us, is a welcome development, especially as it came in the wake of continuous stakeholder engagement by the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.

“We, therefore, commend Governor Abdullahi Sule, who is also the chairman of the North Central Governors Forum, for his remarkable show of maturity, understanding and statesmanship in disembarking from his earlier stance against the bills, by openly expressing support for their passage.

“And we also call on all his colleagues in the Northern Governors Forum to join him in encouraging the National Assembly to pass all four tax reform bills without much ado,” said TDF.

The group restated that the tax bills were designed by President Tinubu to usher in a progressive national tax system, that would meet the economic and political aspirations of Nigerians in the emerging global economy.

“We salute the courage displayed by the President for encouraging the true spirit of democracy and freedom of expression among Nigerians in the heat of discussions around the tax reform in the wake of the unwarranted controversy.

“We appreciate the continuous efforts, sacrifices and commitment by both the Chairman of the Presidential Committee and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zach Adedeji, to enlighten Nigerians on the objectives of the tax reform.

“It is, however, important to posit once again that there is no aspect of the tax reform bills that is prejudicial to the economic interest of Northern Nigeria or any part of the country as argued by mischief makers,” said the group.

It added that, rather, the bills would exempt the masses from payment of tax until they can attained a significant level of economic productivity.

“Similarly, when passed into law, the reform bills will leverage all sub-national governments in the country with the capacity to create more jobs and wealth,” said TDF. 

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