Senator Ali Ndume has firmly opposed President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bill, calling it “dead on arrival” and citing significant resistance from Northern leaders who view it as a burden on citizens already struggling with economic hardships.
In a statement on Channels TV’s “Politics Today,” Ndume emphasized that “our people are saying they don’t want the VAT bill; they don’t even want to hear about it.” He urged Tinubu to “withdraw the bills immediately” and listen to the advice of the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Northern Governors’ Forum. 
Ndume’s position reflects the pressing concerns of Nigerians facing rising fuel prices, food costs, and high living expenses.
The senator argued that while Nigerians are willing to contribute taxes, it must be under circumstances where they can afford it.
“Nigerians are willing to pay taxes, but only when they can afford it. Right now, people are struggling to survive,” he stated. Ndume stressed that leadership should be centered on citizens’ well-being, urging the administration to “let people live first before you start asking them for taxes.”
He further called for better public awareness of the bill’s implications, adding that traditional rulers and governors from the North have also voiced opposition.
Ndume’s comments underscore the need for policies that alleviate, rather than exacerbate, the economic burden on citizens and maintain public trust in governance.
