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Proposed tax bills: Tinubu harps on gains of reform, commit to separation of power, stakeholders collaboration

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…As Shettima, Ganduje, Uzodinma, Jibrin, FIRS boss, others storm Ibadan for Ajimobi 75th posthumous birthday

 

 

By Adeyinka Adeniran

 

 

President Bola Tinubu on Monday said the ongoing deliberation on the four proposed Tax Bills before the National Assembly is a good example of collaboration needed to deepen the nations democracy.

He said, the reforms, when enacted, promise to streamline tax administration, enhance revenue generation, and promote equitable resource allocation.

He added that the reforms are pivotal to his mission of building an inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable Nigeria and making the country competitive to attract foreign direct investment.

The President spoke in his goodwill message at the 75th Posthumous birthday of a late former governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. The event which also doubles as the 7th Annual roundtable of the deceased governor was organised by the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation (SAAF) in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan at The Senator Abiola Ajimobi Resource Centre of the Institute.

The roundabout themed “Legislative Oversight and Accountability in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects”, also attracted political bigwigs from the state, region and country including political associates, family members, friends, party loyalists among others.

The event had in attendance Vice President Kashim Shettima, the National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Umar Ganduje, Governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, a Leader at the 10th Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zaccheus Adelabu, former deputy governors Moses Alake-Adeyemo, Rauf Olaniyan, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin who was represented by Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the Oluwo of Iwo land, Oba Abdulrashidi Akanbi, Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Ghandi Olaoye among other dignitaries.

Speaking, President Tinubu stressed that the need to forge a consensus is at the heart of his sustained engagements since the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Administration on 29th May 2023, noting that, as Democrats, he is committed to the separation of powers and the legislature’s responsibility in carrying out oversight functions.

On the theme, the President who was represented by the Director General, Nigeria Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr Joseph Ochoku said, it is timely and crucial for the country’s future adding that effective legislative and executive collaboration is needed to entrench efficient legislative oversight of public policies and programmes in the drive of the Renewed Hope Agenda through fiscal, economic, energy, tax, and other critical reforms.

He added that in initiating and facilitating the reforms, his government is mindful of the legislature’s position and the imperative of building consensus among all the stakeholders in a democratic setting.

Tinubu said “The need to forge a consensus is at the heart of our sustained engagements since the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Administration on 29th May 2023. As Democrats, we are committed to the separation of powers and the legislature’s responsibility in carrying out oversight functions.

“The commitment of our administration to open government, constructive scrutiny, accountability, and transparency has positioned us to strengthen the anti-graft institutions, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), as well as institutionalizing effective mechanisms for enhanced institutional collaboration.

“On Legislative Oversight and Governance: In any thriving democracy, legislative oversight is the backbone of governance. Through this mechanism, the legislature ensures the accountability of the executive arm and evaluates policies, thereby maintaining public trust. However, this process is challenging, particularly in a diverse and dynamic nation like Nigeria.

“My administration is determined to forge a harmonious relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government. Despite occasional tensions, we recognize that effective governance is a shared responsibility. Collaboration, not confrontation, must define our interactions as we work towards the collective goal of improving the lives of our people.

“An example of this collaboration is the ongoing deliberation on the four proposed Tax Bills before the National Assembly. These reforms, when enacted, promise to streamline tax administration, enhance revenue generation, and promote equitable resource allocation. They are pivotal to our mission of building an inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable Nigeria and making our country competitive to attract foreign direct investment.

“We firmly believe that democracy, as the best form of government, guarantees the independence of the legislature and judiciary. We also believe in press freedom and in holding government accountable.

“Thus, in our drive to deepen and consolidate the culture of democratic governance, we have been working assiduously to insulate the constitutional roles and functions of each arm of government from primordial sentiments, lack of engagement, and the dissemination of fake news and hate speeches. We are constructively engaging critical issues of governance, democracy, and development through reforms to meet citizens’ hopes and expectations and restore their confidence in the government’s capability to provide security and enhance their well-being.”

Commending the virtues of the deceased, President Tinubu said late Senator Ajimobi was not just a political ally but also a brother and friend to him, and it was a deeply felt loss.

Admiring the courage, humility, honesty, diligence, commitment, and dedication of late Senator Ajimobi to his beloved wife, his family, and most importantly, to Nigeria, the President said the deceased unwavering commitment to democratic ideals over the years has been a source of inspiration for all.

He recalled that Ajimobi played a critical role in the opposition movement and the All Progressives Congress (APC), which became the ruling party in 2015, highlighting what he described as his sincerity and people-centred commitment in the early days of the fourth Republic which earned him the senatorial seat and the opportunity to serve as Deputy Minority leader of the Nigerian Senate.

In his keynote address, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele enumerated the oversight powers of the National Assembly as enshrined in the 1999 constitution adding that despite the best efforts, “a lot more remains to be done in respect of oversight.

“Effective legislative oversight requires close collaboration with the executive. In conducting oversight, the principles of co-operative government and intergovernmental equations must be taken into consideration, including the separation of powers and the need for all spheres of government and all organs of state to exercise their powers and perform their functions in a manner that does not encroach on the geographical, functional or institutional integrity of government in another sphere.”

Earlier in her remarks, SAAF President who is also the wife of the former governor, Dr Florence Ajimobi said the event was not only in honor of her late husband but also in further realising his wishes and desire to advance the course of good governance at all levels in the country.

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