As the northern part of the country continues to maintain its opposition to the proposed tax reform bills forwarded to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, the senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson, has declared that no opposition can stop the passage of the bills.
Speaking on Monday, the former governor of Bayelsa added that heaven will not fall if the four bills are passed into law as envisaged by President Bola Tinubu.
He was optimistic that the “tax reform bills, like the Petroleum Industry Bill,” would be passed into law amid controversies.
He said, “The Petroleum Industry Bill succeeded despite opposition to the recommended 3% as against the usual 10% remittance to host communities.”
He assured that there will be no backlash from any quarter as the bill passes through the legislative process, stressing that no opposition can stop the passage.
“When the PIB passed at 3% instead of 10%, heavens didn’t fall, and they won’t fall now,” said Dickson, who explained that the bills are vital for correcting an unfair system.
According to him, central to the bill is the need to ensure taxes are paid to the states where they are generated.
“It’s unacceptable that taxes from Bayelsa are sent to Lagos simply because of company headquarters. If you make calls, buy cement, or consume any service in Bayelsa, the tax should stay in Bayelsa—not Lagos,” he stressed.
As a former governor of Bayelsa, Dickson highlighted his long-standing fight against this inequity, recalling his efforts to challenge VAT distribution in the Supreme Court.
He urged states concerned about potential losses to present their case during the upcoming public hearings.
“Public hearings are for facts, not emotions. Let everyone come forward with their data; there will be no intimidation,” he said.
Dickson also addressed concerns of a northern opposition bloc, emphasising that his stance is rooted in national interest, not regional politics.
“I don’t play regional games. I’m a national politician, and I do what’s best for Nigeria,” he declared.
He pointed to his record of standing on principle, noting his opposition to the naira redesign policy and his push for fairer revenue allocation in the PIB.
“I don’t follow the crowd. When others supported the naira redesign, I stood against it because it wasn’t right. I’m consistent in fighting for what’s fair,” he remarked.
He insisted that the bills are about justice.
“States should benefit from the wealth they generate. It’s time to end a system that benefits a few at the expense of others,” he said.
Tax reform bills controversy: No opposition can stop passage – Seriake Dickson
