The Nigerian Senate has directed its Committee on Finance to put on hold further action on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed tax bill.
This is as the upper chamber has also established a committee to examine the ambiguous aspects of the Bills.
Bellnews reports that the duty of the committee is to provide a report to the full Senate prior to the public hearing on these bills.
The directive was given on Wednesday during plenary, with Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin, presiding over the meeting.
This decision was made pending the outcome of a high-level meeting with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
Barau, in a statement, noted the existing controversies surrounding the bills and indicated that the committee would engage in consultations with the AGF, the executive branch, and other key stakeholders.
The committee, led by Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), comprises other notable senators, including Titus Zam (APC, Benue North West), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), and Abdullahi Yahaha (Kebbi North).
President Tinubu had submitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly on October 3, 2024, with the aim of strengthening Nigeria’s fiscal institutions and aligning with his administration’s broader developmental goals. However, the bills have faced opposition from various groups, including governors, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and some federal lawmakers primarily from the North.