Honorable Bernard Mikko, a former member of the House of Representatives from Ogoni, Rivers State from 1999-2003 spoke to ourcorrespondent the merits of the Federal Governments fiscal and economic policies, especially the controversies surrounding the tax reform bills.
Excerpts:

1. The Federal Government has introduced far reaching economic reforms, the latest being the four tax reform bills, which seems to be generating controversies, what is your take on the fiscal and economic policies of the Tinubu administration generally?

(1)The Federal Government is an APC government that succeeded itself. From President Muhammadu Buhari to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. They both campaigned on the change mantra, and the president vowed to continue from where his predecessor stopped. After sixteen years of the PDP administration, Nigerians were desperately in the mood for change. Including the change of economic, social, and political well-being of the people. The APC touted itself as that agent of change. Politics and political leadership set economic renewals and growth, even as the former dwindles, while the latter will still be subsisting. Change, they say, is inevitable in an active society. The tax reform bill is a major policy instrument for socio-economic change. It defines the essence of commitment to our unity, political development, and economic growth. As you know change anywhere in the world comes with innitial pains, apprehension and fear, it creates anxiety and generates controversies, sometimes founded on primordial identities and filial pieties and cleavages, particularly in diverse and multi racial societies like Nigeria. Interestingly, controversy is the nature of politics, and expectedly so in Nigeria, with the introduction of the four tax reform bills as a measure of the fiscal policy of the new administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu

2. Let us talk about the tax reform bills in particular. Would you say they are timely, given the socio- economic realities of the country?
   (2) Nigeria inherited a colonial administration based imperial adventure and exploitation. Economic development and social welfare weren’t on the agenda of the colonial regime. Since 1933, there hasn’t been any major tax reform or fiscal policy that will put Nigeria on the path of economic growth and development. So, the reform isn’t only timely but long overdue. With hindsight, there could be no other time than now as time waits for no one. Anytime is God’s time.
3. But some sections of the country expressed reservations about the bills, alleging that they were targeted to estrange them. Taking a critical look at the bills, is it possible that any one of them may tend to target a particular section of the country?
   (3) The so-called reservations expressed by some sections of the country are generally a symptom of the geopolitical nature of our country. Anytime the political leadership of the country is from one section, the opposite section appears to be nervous, sometimes in mischief. Looking at the gradients of the bills, I would say that the economy and the general well-being of the people are the target. But looking critically at the data from NBS provided by the Chairman of the Tax reform committee, Lagos and Rivers states appear to be on losing side, falling from over 80% threshold in the current tax regime to less than 15% in the envisaged fiscal policy administration. This is one of the sacrifices we have to make as a nation going forward, to be our brothers’ keeper in time of need and support.
4. The Senate had earlier passed the bills for second reading, only to suddenly turn around and set up a committee that will study the bills’ advice on their desirablility or not. As a former lawmaker, would you say the manner with which the bills are being handled are procedurally correct?

(4) The suspension of legislative action on bills by the Senate is strange, authoritarian, and undemocratic. In civilised parliamentary debates, critical stakeholders will be encouraged to present their views , which would enable parliamentary committees to reach a near consensus or cause a vote on clause by clause basis. The Senate presiding officer acted in error by suspending further legislative action and abdicating her constitutional responsibility to the executive arm that formulated the bills and sent them to the National Assembly. In proper parliamentary procedures, once a bill is introduced and read for the second time, it can’t be suspended based on speculations or sentiments expressed outside the chambers but can be withdrawn by the president in consultation with the leadership of the National Assembly. As a politician with cognate parliamentary experience, if the Senate in particular or the National Assembly in general is unable to carry out their functions of law making and representation, let the bills be withdrawn for the executive to conduct a referendum on the desirability of taxation as a major policy item on exclusive list in our Constitution. In this context, states, principalities, and regional governments would be a position to determine their fiscal priorities based on their culture and socio-economic understanding.

5. Given the contro easy the bills seem to be generating, what would you suggest as the best approach to solving this serming quagmire?

(5) Political debates in most times ignite tensions and controversy. Stakeholders should engage in healthy debate with empirical data to support their claims. Without data and facts, it’ll amount to speculation and mischief. My suggestions are:
(a) allow full parliamentary debates without hindrance in the National Assembly.

(b) If the National Assembly is unwilling to continue deliberation on the bills timeously( as in the case of the Petroleum Industry Bill that lasted over 20 years in the the National Assembly), the bills should be withdrawn, and the issue of taxation presented directly to the Nigerian people through a referendum, not through our representatives in the National Assembly.

6. Some analysts feel that the general mood of the country could make President Bola Ahmed Tinibus re- election in 2027 suffer as a result of these bills in particular. Do you think that could be the case?

(6) The bait of possible scenarios in the next general election is highly speculative and apparently mischievous. It takes a committed and courageous leader to move a nation out of economic quagmire, and such decisions are unpopular and painful. Patriotic leaders make painful decisions and not smear campaigns that would be appreciated decades later. Our heritage and prosperity provide the foundation of our power, not docile followship, weak leadership, or a fragmented population.

The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has vowed to implement a zero-tolerance policy against corruption in the judiciary. She emphasized her commitment to integrity and strict adherence to judicial ethics as fundamental aspects of her judicial philosophy.

During her screening before the Senate, Kekere-Ekun assured lawmakers that, if confirmed, she would prioritize the swift adjudication of cases, particularly election petitions. She promised to shield the judiciary from external influences and advocated for enhanced welfare and infrastructure for judicial officers.

Justice Kekere-Ekun also stressed the importance of strengthening national institutions and promoting responsible behavior during elections. She highlighted that these improvements could help reduce the tendency to challenge election results in court.

The Senate commenced the screening process for Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria on Wednesday. Prior to the screening, Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) moved a motion to reorder the day’s agenda to prioritize her screening. The motion was seconded by Deputy Minority Leader Senator Oyewumi Olalere (PDP, Osun West).

Justice Kekere-Ekun, accompanied by justices from the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, arrived at the Senate Chamber at 12:30 PM. Senator Basheer Lado, Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, led her into the chamber following the invocation of Order 12 of the Senate’s Standing Orders by Senator Bamidele, which was seconded by Senator Olalere.

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu submitted a letter to the Senate, seeking the confirmation of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. The letter, read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, highlighted the President’s nomination in accordance with Section 231(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates the President to appoint the CJN on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and subject to Senate confirmation.

The letter stated: “Pursuant to Section 231(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which gives the President the power to appoint the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate, I have the honour to forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CON, for confirmation as CJN. I hope that this request will receive the expeditious consideration of the Senate.”

Justice Kekere-Ekun was sworn in as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria on August 23, 2024, by President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja. She is the second female to hold the position, following Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar (CJN from July 2012 to November 2014). Born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom, Justice Kekere-Ekun began her legal career at the University of Lagos, where she earned her law degree in 1980, and was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.

Ambassador Charles Crawford, an Oxford and Harvard-trained British Diplomat and former British Ambassador to Bosnia and Poland, is renowned for inspiring leaders worldwide to navigate the complexities of geopolitics and volatility. His insights will be shared at the upcoming TEXEM UK Programme, “Strategic Agility and Inspiring Change: Fuelling Sustainable Success,” from August 26 to 29 at Hilton Liverpool.

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The programme promises to equip leaders with practical tools and fresh perspectives to navigate change and drive sustainable success.