A growing standoff over the Tax Reform Bills is likely to delay the presentation of the 2025 budget to the National Assembly, raising concerns about legislative and executive gridlock.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu submitted four contentious tax bills to the National Assembly on October 3, 2024. However, opposition, particularly from Northern lawmakers, has stalled their progress. Despite passing a first reading in the Senate, parliamentary work on the bills was suspended following a stalemate.
Sources within the National Assembly disclosed that the presidency is lobbying lawmakers to approve the bills before presenting the 2025 budget. Allegedly, the administration is using the budget proposal as leverage, withholding it to compel lawmakers to pass the reforms.
The impasse has divided senators along regional lines. While Southern lawmakers initially endorsed the bills, the South-East caucus later called for further consultations. Northern lawmakers remain largely opposed, citing insufficient dialogue on the proposed reforms.
In response to the opposition, President Tinubu tasked Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi to engage with lawmakers and address their concerns. Despite ongoing discussions, both the Senate and House of Representatives have suspended deliberations on the bills.
A National Assembly insider revealed that the presidency’s stance could jeopardize lawmakers’ constituency projects, potentially affecting their political fortunes. “The presidency is threatening not to send the 2025 budget unless the lawmakers agree to sign the tax reform bills,” the source said.
With the year’s end approaching, the standoff casts uncertainty over the timely passage of the 2025 budget, potentially disrupting governance and project implementation.
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