Segun Sowunmi, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has attributed the resistance facing the tax reform bills proposed by the government to President Bola Tinubu.
Sowunmi accused the President of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of exacerbating distrust among northerners by allegedly favoring individuals from his own ethnic group for key financial and tax positions.
He criticized the lack of diversity in the appointments, highlighting the concentration of Yoruba individuals in crucial roles like finance minister, FIRS chairman, and CBN governor.
Sowunmi emphasized that despite the potential benefits of the tax bills, the perception of exclusion has caused apprehension among individuals from other ethnic backgrounds. He argued that the inherent diversity in decision-making bodies is essential to engender trust and ensure broad-based representation.
The opposition and criticisms faced by the proposed tax reforms, according to Sowunmi, are a result of this perceived exclusion and lack of inclusive governance.
The controversy surrounding the tax bills introduced by the Tinubu administration has led to pushbacks from various quarters, including the 36 state governors and specifically the 19 governors from northern Nigeria.
Despite the intentions behind the tax reforms, Sowunmi stressed the importance of inclusive decision-making processes to mitigate tensions and foster cooperation across diverse interests within the country.
