Recognising the mounting opposition, President Bola Tinubu has started sending emissaries to the northern elite, leaders and elders to clear the way for the passage of the tax reform bills.
Nigerian Presidency sources said Tinubu was also consulting with the political class for support on the bills.
An official, who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “What I know is that he (President Tinubu) has been consulting with some of the northern elite at individual level and as groups, even before the holidays.”
Another top source said the President was using “back channels” and other means to win over opposition to the bills.
“He is reaching out through different channels that are available to him to make sure that the grey areas of the bill are smoothened out,” the source added.
However, northern governors have insisted that nothing will change their minds on the bills.
While saying they remained unmoved by Tinubu’s overtures, they demanded that the bills be withdrawn from the National Assembly for further consultation.
Northern elders under the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) are also calling for the tax bills to be withdrawn first for dialogue and consultation.
Recall that the tax reform bills were introduced to the National Assembly by the executive in October 2024.
Among them are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.