Abuja: The Democratic Front (TDF) has commended the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) for reaching a consensus with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms over the tax reform bills. In a statement by Malam Danjuma Muhammad, its Chairman, on Saturday, the group said the deal was bound to lay all divisive rhetorics on the tax reform to rest.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the group’s relief stems from the understanding reached between the governors and the Presidential Committee on the contentious issue of Value Added Tax derivation, which had previously fueled divisive debates. The group expressed satisfaction with President Tinubu’s decision to promote a healthy national debate prior to the public hearing, which facilitated constructive engagements and wider consultations among stakeholders.
The Democratic Front emphasized that the governors’ position indicates a positive relationship between the federal and state governments and a collective resolve to work together for the common good. They noted the unanimous support for the tax bills by the governors as a sign of their comprehensive commitment to embracing President Tinubu’s economic reforms and vision for Nigeria’s prosperity and unity.
In addition to supporting the tax reform bills, the group encouraged the governors to extend similar support to other initiatives by the Tinubu administration, such as local government autonomy. They also called on the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the tax reform bills to further aid the ongoing economic reforms.