The Tax Reform Bill currently under deliberation has stirred significant controversy, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where religious sentiments are being raised as a key point of contention.
Honourable Leke Abejide, a member of the House of Representatives from Kogi State under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), shared insights into the growing opposition during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television from 0:34.
Hon. Abejide, who has lived his entire life in Kano and is fluent in Hausa, expressed his surprise at the depth of resistance to the Bill, particularly on religious grounds. “I thought it was only politics, but today, I got to know that religion is even more [of a factor],” he said.
During his discussions with prominent figures in the North, he learned that the opposition stems from concerns that the Bill undermines Islamic inheritance laws. “They came to me today and told me that the Bill is against inheritance, which is against Sharia law, Islamic law. It’s a major perspective,” he explained.
Citing a specific example, Abejide elaborated on the agitation: “If you have 100 million and you also give as inheritance to your children, this current tax law will take 24 million away from it. They said that’s the major problem.”
This perspective has led to widespread unease, particularly among those who view the Bill as conflicting with their religious and cultural practices. Abejide emphasized that the concerns are not just political but deeply rooted in the values of the region.
The Tax Reform Bill has been a contentious topic nationwide, with proponents arguing that it is necessary to enhance revenue generation and streamline taxation, while critics fear it could disproportionately burden citizens, particularly in regions with strong religious laws.