ⓒ PUNCH
Former Sokoto State Governor and Senator Aminu Tambuwal has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bill, calling its timing inappropriate considering Nigeria’s current economic struggles. Tambuwal voiced his concerns on Sunday while distributing aid to flood victims and providing starter kits to over 1,000 participants in a skills acquisition program within his senatorial district.
He stated that raising taxes, particularly VAT, is ill-advised given the current economic climate. The devaluation of the naira and the removal of fuel subsidies have already placed a significant burden on Nigerians, and increasing taxes would only worsen the situation. He emphasized the need for the government to prioritize programs that alleviate hardship rather than exacerbating it.
Tambuwal cited recent statistics from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics indicating that over 30 million Nigerians live in abject poverty. He further highlighted his efforts in Shagari, where he collaborated with the National Emergency Management Agency to provide relief to flood victims, and in Bodinga, where he partnered with the National Directorate of Employment to offer skills training to over 1,000 young people.
The senator’s criticism underscores the growing discontent among Nigerians regarding the economic policies of the current administration. The timing of the tax reform bill, amidst widespread economic hardship, remains a major point of contention.
