According to The Guardian, it was reported that Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), made this statement while speaking at a human rights symposium organized by the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in Abuja yesterday.
He also supported the proposed tax reforms, stating that they are in the best interest of the country, including the northern region.
Ozekhome added that Tinubu’s approach is not surprising because Nigerians tolerated similar actions when Buhari was in power.
He described the 1999 Constitution as flawed and emphasized the need for a new constitution that includes contributions from all Nigerians, regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds, to chart a way forward for the country.
Ozekhome also criticized the opposition to the proposed tax reforms by some Nigerians from the northern region, stating that it is unnecessary given the abundance of agricultural and vast mineral resources spread across the 19 states in northern Nigeria.
He said, “The Value-Added Tax (VAT) debate is on. Most of the opponents are Northerners. I have just written an article entitled: ‘Voting VAT’. The question you ask yourself is, what is this VAT?
It is the tax that you pay for consumption of goods. Is it really right that you should share money based on the headquarters of a company? If you do so, some people won’t get anything.
Further talking, he said, “So what are these points of consumption, for example beer. Where do they consume it? Hides and skin, cattle, where do they consume it most?
Groundnuts, cocoa, timber, where do they consume them most? A situation where, for example, a state like Lagos would produce about trillions in VAT and it is made to share about N235 billion is not a just system.”
The Edo State-born activist urged those opposing the bills to carefully read and understand their provisions.
However, he criticized the federal character principle enshrined in the constitution, arguing that it could weaken the morale of hardworking Nigerians and promote inefficiency and mediocrity in governance.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
