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The leadership of Nigeria’s 10th Senate has deferred the passage of President Bola Tinubu’s long-awaited tax reform bills until Wednesday, citing the need for more thorough examination and robust debate.
The four bills—Nigerian Tax Bill, Tax Administration Bill, Revenue Tax Board Bill, and Nigerian Revenue Service Establishment Bill—were submitted by the President six months ago as a central component of his administration’s strategy to overhaul fiscal policy and enhance government revenue. However, the delay in Senate action, especially following the House of Representatives’ approval two weeks earlier, has sparked growing concern and intensified pressure on the upper chamber to act.
In a parallel development, the Senate has also agreed to convene a two-day national security summit aimed at addressing the escalating crisis of violence and insecurity across the country. The resolution was adopted following a motion introduced by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who represents Ondo South, during Tuesday’s resumption of plenary.
While on a working visit to France, bandits in a senseless campaign of violence killed innocent Nigerians in Plateau, Benue and Zamfara States, culminating in calls for President Bola Tinubu to cut short his vacation to return home to lead the fight against insecurity from the front.
Read also: FG, Senate Collaborate On Tax Bills, Public Input Sought
Leading the debate, Ibrahim said the “high level” of global insecurity is driven by events in Russia and Ukraine and compounded by tensions between the global north and global south.
According to him, the issues have continuously worsened food insecurity and affected the attainment of the sustainable development goals.
The former Ondo governorship aspirant emphasised that the ongoing trade tariff war in America and the growing emphasis on balance of power in global affairs are gradually giving way to a new world order.
“This new order reflects in immigration policies, visa cancellations by new regimes, and countries raising funds by selling citizenship — all of which fuel economic conflict and undermine globalisation pursued over the last sixty years,” he said.
Continuing, Ibrahim said Nigeria must clarify its strategic engagement in international affairs, noting that the Senate has a role in advising the executive to maximise national interest.
“The next world war may not even require the fanfare of militarism. The incredible growing economic war is gaining ground with destructive innovation in security globally
He stated that there was a need for alternative language in military engagement, along with increased funding to promote professional practices and uphold the respected traditions of the future military.
