₦airaland Forum

'We Don’t Know What Was Passed’: Oyo Governor Makinde Raises Alarm Over Tax Bill Process

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has criticised the handling of the controversial tax bill by the Federal Government, saying neither state governors nor Nigerians know what was eventually passed by the National Assembly or signed into law.

Makinde spoke while addressing former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at a public event, where he openly expressed regret over Osinbajo’s exit from office, citing what he described as a decline in openness and consultative governance under the current administration.

“Sir, I personally, I miss you in that position. A lot of people may not know why. Things are not really the same,” Makinde said.

The governor recalled events during the COVID-19 crisis in early 2020, shortly after he assumed office, describing a tense National Economic Council (NEC) meeting where a nationwide lockdown was proposed.

“I was barely seven months into the position of governor, and that was my first public service job. There was COVID. We came in for the National Economic Council meeting. It was a hot meeting,” Makinde said.

According to him, some governors pushed for an immediate lockdown of all states, but Osinbajo, who chaired the council at the time, allowed room for dissenting views and alternative approaches.

“For Oyo state people, why I did not lock down during COVID was because of his decision,” Makinde noted, implying that Osinbajo’s leadership style allowed governors to make context-specific decisions.

Makinde said the same spirit of consultation was absent in the handling of the recent tax bill, which has generated widespread controversy and accusations of being rushed through the legislative process.

“We had the same situation in this dispensation. It was the tax bill. And we said, look, bring the tax bill back. Let us all have an opportunity to look dispassionately at it,” he said.

He alleged that objections raised by governors were dismissed and described the response from the Federal Government as intolerant of dissent.

“And we know where we are right now. The tax bill, we don’t know what was passed at the National Assembly. We don’t also know what was signed off,” he added.

Makinde reiterated his admiration for Osinbajo’s leadership style, saying Nigeria has lost a critical channel for internal checks and balanced decision-making.

“So when I say I miss you, I miss you so much, sir,” he said.

The tax bill has continued to draw criticism from state governments, civil society groups and policy analysts, many of whom argue that its passage lacked transparency and meaningful consultation, raising concerns about its implications for federalism and fiscal governance in Nigeria.

The House of Representatives had confirmed that there was an illegal alteration of Nigeria’s newly gazetted tax reform laws.

The House Minority Caucus Ad-hoc Committee probing alleged alteration of the tax reform laws reported evidence of unauthorized changes to some of the tax reform laws recently passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

In an interim report released on Friday, the committee said its findings showed clear discrepancies between the versions of the tax laws approved by lawmakers and those later published in the official gazette.

According to the panel, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, contained the most significant alterations.

The probe followed public concern triggered by a motion raised on the floor of the House by Abdulsamad Dasuki, who warned that versions of the tax laws in circulation differed from what legislators had approved.

AMINDA:
Contrary to what his Nairaland lackeys say, Tinubu will face very stiff opposition in 2027, even from the Southwest. The coast is still not clear yet in Lagos, Osun and now Oyo in 2027. He cannot win the Southwest in a landslide.

AMINDA:
Contrary to what his Nairaland lackeys say, Tinubu will face very stiff opposition in 2027, even from the Southwest. The coast is still not clear yet in Lagos, Osun and now Oyo in 2027. He cannot win the Southwest in a landslide.

Bentacur007:
2027 go sweet ooo
Let’s see how it goes
But Makinde is making a big point here

PlasmaTV:
Currently, Makinde has more political clout than Sanwo, and will undercut Tinubu's chances in the SW.

Makinde is a gentle viper and he has ambitions towards 2027 already.

Jayhome24:
Because you don't care to know what the controversy tax bill is all about.

So remain in your ignorant.

AMINDA:
Contrary to what his Nairaland lackeys say, Tinubu will face very stiff opposition in 2027, even from the Southwest. The coast is still not clear yet in Lagos, Osun and now Oyo in 2027. He cannot win the Southwest in a landslide.

ajalawole:
so you a keypad warrior expect to know more then a state governor. Since you know what is all about, please explain to us and outline the laws.

Bentacur007:
2027 go sweet ooo
Let’s see how it goes
But Makinde is making a big point here