Northern Coalition, Gumi Express Differing Views Over Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills

The New Diplomat
Writer
Insecurity: Military Action Will Worsen Situation - Gumi

Ad

The Gift of Hindsight: What I Would Tell My Younger Self, By Johnson Babalola

By Johnson Babalola @jbdlaw Hindsight, they say, is life’s most generous teacher—but it sends its lessons late. It is only after the storms that the patterns become clear; only after the wrong turns that the map begins to make sense. As I celebrate another birthday today and have grown older, I often find myself reflecting…

Gasoline Prices Drop Toward Pandemic-Era Lows

The national average price of gasoline dropped below $3 a gallon over the weekend. GasBuddy has predicted that prices will go even lower in the coming weeks, with good prospects of motorists enjoying sub-$3 prices for extended periods. This drop is overwhelmingly being driven by the significant increase in oil production from OPEC throughout 2025.…

Alleged Christian Genocide Claim is Damaging Nigeria’s Image– Tuggar Laments

By Abiola Olawale Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has voiced concern over what he described as the damaging impact of the "Christian genocide" narrative on Nigeria's international image. This is as the Minister claimed that the country's complex security challenges are being falsely simplified as religious persecution. Speaking at the Reuters NEXT Gulf Summit…

Ad

By Kolawole Ojebisi

The controversial tax reform bills have attracted divergent views from Coalition of Nigerian Groups (CNG) and prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.

This is as these two parties have expressed differing perspectives concerning the impact of the bills on the economy and the general well-being of citizens of the country.

The CNG criticized the bills, arguing they were formulated without adequate input from states and warning of their negative consequences, particularly for the North.

Speaking in an interview, Nastura Sheriff, leader of the CNG, alleged that the reforms would exacerbate the struggles of Nigerians already facing economic hardship.

“Many Nigerians are struggling to feed and are uncertain of their next meal. These bills would further worsen their plight,” Sheriff said

Meanwhile, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi surprisingly expressed support for the tax reform bills, emphasizing their potential benefits for Nigerians.

He, however, acknowledged concerns surrounding the Value Added Tax (VAT) component of the reforms.

“I believe the contentious VAT issue is the only part that needs to be reviewed; otherwise, it is a good package for all,” Gumi stated.

The Islamic scholar called for adjustments to the bills to address widespread concerns while praising the overall intent of the reforms.

The conflicting stances reflect how deep the division the tax reform bills have created even among people of the same region.

Recall that there have been heated debates about the proposed tax reforms’ implications for equity, economic stability, and regional development.

Ad

X whatsapp