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Amid the controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform plan, the Nigerian Senate leadership is currently approaching members of the Upper Chamber with at least $5000 in inducement to assure passage of the bill, SaharaReporters can confirm.
Senate sources told SaharaReporters that the leadership had approached each Southern senator with the offer, and that some selected northern senators would also be captured in the operation to persuade legislators.
According to SaharaReporters, there is rising concern that legislators were compromised in their decision to support Tinubu’s planned tax reforms, as money was shared within the parliamentary chamber to sway votes.
According to one source, “the Senate leadership is offering $5,000 to each senator from Southern Nigeria and select senators from Northern Nigeria to lobby support for the tax reform bills.”
Southern Nigeria has 51 senators while Northern Nigeria has 58 senators in the chamber.
It was stated that the Senate leadership, primarily from Southern Nigeria, is using a “divide and rule” tactic to obtain the support of a few Northern senators by offering additional incentives and welfare promises.
“For Southern senators, the leadership is apparently aiming to elicit regional solidarity and anti-Northern feelings while paying each senator $5,000 as an incentive to support the contentious proposals. The offer was made to all 51 Southern senators last week, according to the source.
SaharaReporters previously reported that members of Nigeria’s South-South Senate announced their support for Tinubu’s controversial tax reform measures on Thursday.
The lawmakers, who confirmed their support for the legislation in a communiqué issued in Abuja, also reaffirmed their strong support for Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who is from Akwa Ibom State in the South-South.
Senators Seriake Dickson (Chairman), Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (Secretary), Senator Barinada Mpigi, Adams Oshiomhole, Neda Imasuen, Munir Ned Nwoko, Thomas Joel-Onowakpo, Aniekan Bassey, Asuquo Ekpenyong, and Allwell Onyeso all signed the communiqué.
Other signatories include Senators Ipalibo Banigo, Benson Agadaga, Konbowei Benson, Eteng Jonah Williams, Ekong Sampson, and Ede Dafinone.
Whereas some Northern lawmakers, governors, and political leaders, as well as certain groups from other parts of the country, have expressed opposition to the bills and called for their withdrawal, South-South senators emphasized that their support for the bills stems from a shared commitment to increasing national revenue and fostering economic growth.
Part of the communiqué stated, “Following a meeting on December 4, 2024, we, the Senators from the South-South Geopolitical Zone, convened to deliberate on pressing national issues and the Senate’s role in advancing Nigeria’s collective interests.” Following extensive talks, we reached the following conclusions.
“The South-South Senators unanimously voted to support the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“We reiterate our unflinching support for his leadership in steering the Senate toward performing its constitutional responsibilities, which include adopting laws that benefit the nation and its inhabitants.
“We fully support the Senate President and the leadership of the National Assembly in their efforts to secure the effective and timely passage of legislation that promotes good governance, national unity, and economic progress.
“Understanding the essential significance of tax reform in increasing national revenue and ensuring economic stability, we have decided to endorse the Tax Reform Bills.
“Our support will be based on a thorough review and analysis of the bills’ contents to ensure that they are consistent with the broader interests of Nigerians, particularly the well-being of the South-South region.”
“We urge caution from those who introduce regional, ethnic, or tribal sentiments into this national discourse. We look forward to continued strong discussions and deliberations, as the Senate has already undertaken.
“We remain committed to collaborating with our colleagues across the Senate and all relevant stakeholders to foster a legislative agenda that ensures the peace, prosperity, and progress of our nation.”
Meanwhile, the controversial tax plan was reportedly rejected by the Nigerian Senate’s South-East Caucus.
The Senate caucus had united in calling for broader consultations prior to the bill’s approval, insisting on the necessity to consult citizens and stakeholders.
The senators stated their position on Monday after a closed-door meeting of senators from the five South-East states in the office of their leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South).
Abaribe, who spoke on behalf of the caucus, claimed that the caucus is not opposed to the proposed tax revisions.
It was claimed that the caucus considered that more comprehensive interaction with stakeholders was required.
He had stated that this would be necessary before the proposals were thoroughly studied by both chambers.
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