The Deputy National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Prince Nwaeze Onu, has urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend the proposed tax reform bills to enable broader consultations with stakeholders nationwide.
Onu made this appeal in his New Year message to Nigerians, which was released to journalists in Abuja on Friday. His call comes amid rising criticism of the proposed legislations, which have passed a second reading in the National Assembly.
President Tinubu, in a recent nationwide broadcast, had affirmed that there would be no reversal on the tax reform bills, sparking significant pushback from various quarters, including the 19 Northern governors and other regional stakeholders.
Onu emphasised that such sensitive reforms should not be implemented unilaterally and insisted on the need for more inclusive deliberations.
“The President must urgently halt the tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly, especially considering the precarious state of the economy and how citizens are struggling to afford their daily needs,” he stated.
“The tax reform bills should be dropped to allow for wider consultation with stakeholders. We also encourage Nigerians to remain hopeful, as this is the only way to overcome the challenges facing the country,” Onu added.
He also criticised alleged attempts by the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to suppress opposition parties, cautioning that such actions threaten democratic principles.
“Every ruling government needs a viable opposition to scrutinise its policies and make valuable recommendations for success,” he remarked.
In a related statement, the NNPP Deputy Chairman called on Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, to prioritise sustaining a functional educational system while addressing governance costs in the state.
“There is a need to reduce the cost of governance in the state. The funds coming into the state from the federation account have increased. Rather than spending these funds on purchasing exotic vehicles, they should be directed toward maintaining a functional educational system, as Dr Sam Egwu’s administration did,” Onu said.
He urged Governor Nwifuru to adopt modern governance approaches to ensure that his policies are impactful and beneficial to the citizens of Ebonyi State.
