Okupe brands Tax Reform Bills opponents as Nigeria’s foes

By Adeyemi Adeleye

Former presidential spokesman, Dr Doyin Okupe, has labelled those opposing the proposed Tax Reform Bills as enemies of Nigeria, describing the reforms as pro-poor and crucial for national development.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Okupe argued that the reforms aim to protect the vulnerable while curbing corruption, making any opposition to them indefensible.

“Anyone who has taken the time to understand these tax reforms and still opposes them is an enemy of this country,” Okupe said.

“These reforms propose that the majority of poor people should not pay tax. How can anyone oppose that?

“The bills also ensure that companies are taxed based on their profits, not turnover, and businesses with a turnover below ₦50 million are exempted. Should anyone be against this?”

Okupe, the former Director-General of Mr Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Organisation, added that the reforms would also significantly reduce corruption.

Okupe dismissed the opposition to the bills from some quarters in the North, stating there was no justifiable reason for their stance. He highlighted the unsustainability of Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy, emphasising the need for taxation reform to fund development.

“In most countries, taxation is the primary source of government revenue. But here, we rely on oil and plan budgets around oil revenue, which is not sustainable,” Okupe said.

He praised the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for its achievements in revenue generation over the past year but stressed that Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains among the lowest globally, despite the country’s significant financial needs.

“We need revenue for development. Yet, this reform recognises that we cannot burden those already struggling. Instead, we must tax individuals and businesses with substantial earnings,” he said, pointing to extravagant spending habits of some wealthy individuals.

Okupe dismissed concerns about the timing and speed of the bills, insisting that urgent action is necessary to halt Nigeria’s financial losses. He stated that the reforms would boost states’ internally generated revenue and improve living standards.

He urged President Tinubu to oversee revenue-generating agencies closely to eliminate corruption and inefficiencies. Okupe also advocated for the adoption of technology to tackle corrupt practices within agencies such as Customs, Immigration, and NIMASA.

“With emerging technologies, corruption can be fought to a standstill, and Nigerians will be free,” Okupe said.

Okupe expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s commitment to transformative reforms, predicting that corruption would decline once the reforms are fully implemented.

“These reforms introduced by Tinubu will eradicate corruption,” he added.

President Tinubu, on Oct. 3, requested the National Assembly to consider and pass the Tax Reform Bills, which include the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

During a recent presidential media chat, Tinubu reiterated that the reforms aim to eliminate outdated colonial assumptions in Nigeria’s tax system.