Oyo backs Northern governors, NEC, calls for withdrawal of Tax Reform Bills

The Oyo State government has thrown its weight behind the National Economic Council, the North governors and federal lawmakers who called for the withdrawal of the Tax Reform Bills from the National Assembly.

It would be recalled that the NEC had recommended that the Tax Bills be withdrawn for further consultation.

Also, the Northern governors and some federal lawmakers had called for the withdrawal of the Bills, stating that the Bills were not in the interest of the Northern region.

Meanwhile, On Sunday, the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor of Oyo State, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, revealed that the state government is in complete support of the National Economic Council’s stance regarding the tax bills.

He said, “Well, I don’t have a response to whether it will affect the payment of salaries of civil servants or not, but I would like you to recall that the council at its meeting advised the President to withdraw the bills and allow for more discussions and consultations.

“And you will recall that all the governors were there, the past governors were there. My governor, Seyi Makinde, was the one that read the position of the council. My governor communicated the positions of the council. So, it remains the position of the Oyo State Government, that we need more consultations.

“The governor was not saying withdraw or stop the reform. To make it more effective, address the needs of the people, and correct the imbalances that have existed, it requires wider consultations and that is the position of the state. But whether it will affect the payment of salaries or not, I don’t have that information.”