FOLLOWING criticisms and pressures on the tax reform bills forwarded to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu for consideration, the Senate yesterday suspended further legislative actions on the bills.

The Senate last Thursday passed the tax reform bills for second reading amid tension despite a one hour close-door session to calm frayed nerves so that the federal lawmakers csn have a smooth debate on the general principles of the fiscal legislations.

AS controversies reign over the tax reform bills, Founder of the Kukah Centre, Bishop Mathew Kukah; the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN; Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA;

The Presidency has explained the benefits of the contentious Tax Reform Bills to the 36 States of the Federation.

“You and food. Apparently, there is no food inflation on your side. With the serious food inflation in the country and the cancer of hunger messing up many families under Tinubu, you still get a chance to swallow dollops and draw soup.”

The suspension follows extensive deliberations by lawmakers to resolve disagreements over key provisions of the proposed legislation

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said that President Bola Tinubu is committed to accountability on tax bills and has directed Ministry to work with the National Assembly on concerns being raised.

Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah said the controversial tax reform bills the tax must lead to the development of the "thoroughly dysfunctional country" (Nigeria) again.