Christian leaders from Northern Nigeria have strongly dismissed claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills are biased against the North. The accusations, they argue, are without foundation.
The response from the Northern Christian community followed a key meeting aimed at addressing concerns surrounding the bills. The event, a town hall discussion, was organised by the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria (CHAIN) and held in Kaduna. The meeting brought together Christian leaders from the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with the theme “Church and Society: Tax Reforms and Matters Arising.”
The forum sought to clarify misunderstandings and provide a platform for leaders to express their views on the proposed reforms. Key figures in attendance included Hon Yakubu Dogara, the former Speaker of the 8th National Assembly, who delivered the keynote speech, and Mr Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, who was represented by the former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, HE Simon Achuba.
Other notable guests included several serving and former members of the House of Representatives, as well as experts in tax law. These included Prof. Seth Akutson, a former Vice Chancellor and economist, Mr Samuel Atung SAN, represented by Kasai Jesse Arung, and Friday Ive Mamman, a Chartered Accountant.
Throughout the discussions, participants delved into the details of the tax bills, aiming to shed light on the issues surrounding the proposed reforms. The town hall meeting concluded with several resolutions.
One of the key messages from the event was the call for the Christian community to take an active role in governance. Christian leaders emphasised that the church should not remain passive when it comes to matters that affect the well-being of citizens. The meeting highlighted the importance of engaging with governance, as tax reform has far-reaching implications for the nation’s development.
The meeting also made it clear that tax is not foreign to Christianity. Leaders reminded attendees that the Bible encourages Christians to pay taxes to legitimate authorities, with specific reference to the teachings of Jesus Christ, who instructed his disciples to do so. As a result, the leaders affirmed that paying taxes is not only a civic duty but also aligns with Christian teachings.
In his address, Prof. Akutson stressed the importance of knowledge, citing the Biblical verse from Hosea 4:6: “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” The leaders agreed that a lack of understanding could hinder progress and that citizens must take the time to educate themselves about the tax reforms.
The meeting further urged caution in public discourse, advising Nigerians to avoid divisive and sentimental statements that could undermine national unity. Experts at the meeting spoke positively about the prospects of the tax reforms, though they also acknowledged that some aspects of the bills could benefit from further clarification and adjustment.
The Christian leaders urged their members to avoid simply rejecting the bills outright. Instead, they advocated for Christians to engage with their elected representatives in both state and national assemblies, urging them to address any areas of disagreement in the reforms. The leaders called for constructive involvement rather than opposition for the sake of it, as they believe the reforms have the potential to benefit the nation.
One of the significant takeaways from the event was the call for Christians and all Nigerians to contribute to nation-building. The leaders stressed that every citizen plays a vital role in the country’s progress, and that the nation’s success is built on the positive contributions of its people. Therefore, the leaders implored Nigerians to look beyond traditional ways of thinking that have hindered the country’s advancement.
Addressing the claim that the tax reforms are detrimental to the North, the meeting resolved that this notion is completely unfounded. The leaders stressed that there is no evidence to support such a claim, and they called on citizens to engage with the reforms objectively. The meeting also reminded participants that the bill has not yet been passed, meaning there is still room for public input on its final form.
The leaders also encouraged Northern citizens to hold their elected officials accountable for how resources meant for development are being used. The meeting stressed the need for transparent governance that truly benefits the people.
