Senator Victor Umeh (LP – Anambra Central) has defended the controversial tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly, stating that the public outcry against them is misplaced.
Umeh emphasized that there is nothing to fear about the bills, which were transmitted to the legislature by President Bola Tinubu in October to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal framework and support the government’s development agenda.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Monday, Umeh acknowledged the widespread backlash but argued that the government needs to engage more effectively with the public to explain the content and purpose of the bills.
He noted that Nigerians’ lack of confidence in the government has led to resistance to tax reforms, with many citizens reluctant to pay taxes due to concerns about misuse of public funds.
Umeh, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora Matters, stated that while no one enjoys paying taxes, a well-functioning system that ensures accountability and delivers tangible benefits would inspire public trust.
He emphasized that taxes should be collected with the consent of the people, not through force, and that a successful tax system depends on citizens’ belief that their contributions will lead to improved infrastructure and services.
The senator also addressed misconceptions circulating on social media, specifically the belief that the new tax reforms would unfairly benefit Lagos and Ogun states due to their status as corporate hubs.
He assured that such claims were unfounded and could be clarified by a careful review of the bills.
Umeh acknowledged the importance of public participation in the legislative process, stressing that the bills would undergo public hearings where citizens’ opinions would be considered.
He reiterated that the government’s task is to effectively communicate the objectives of the reforms to ensure broad support before they are passed into law.
