The Kano State House of Assembly has strongly opposed the tax reform bills currently under consideration at the National Assembly, citing concerns over their potential negative impact on northern states.
Grassroots Parrot gathered that Kano Assembly unanimously rejected the bills after deliberations during Monday’s plenary session, presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Ismail Falgore.
Majority Leader Lawan Husseini, representing Dala Constituency, presented a motion of “urgent public importance,” urging northern lawmakers and the Conference of Speakers to ensure the bills do not become law.
Husseini criticized the Senate’s support for the bills, describing it as a calculated plan to sabotage the economy of the northern region.
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He expressed particular concern over the proposed allocation formula for Value Added Tax (VAT), arguing that it heavily favors states like Lagos, where most major corporations, banks, and multinationals are headquartered.
“Eighty percent of the VAT collected in Nigeria will go to Lagos and its environs, leaving many northern states with minimal shares.
This will weaken states in the north, making it difficult for some to pay salaries and increasing hardship and poverty,” Husseini stated.
Hon. Salisu Mohammed of Doguwa Constituency supported the motion, urging federal lawmakers to prioritize pressing national issues such as insecurity and unemployment instead of rushing the tax reform process.
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Similarly, Hon. Murtala Kadage of Garko Constituency called for unity among northern representatives to block the bills for the region’s benefit.
The House resolved to call on northern senators, House of Representatives members, and the Conference of Speakers to act swiftly to prevent the passage of the bills, which they say could exacerbate economic disparities across the country.