The Senator representing Bayelsa West senatorial district Seriake Dickson has confidently declared that the Tax Reform Bill will be passed, likening it to the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which succeeded with a controversial 3% allocation to host communities instead of 10%.
He dismissed fears of backlash, assuring Nigerians that the legislative process will not be derailed by opposition.
“When the PIB passed at 3% instead of 10%, heavens didn’t fall, and they won’t fall now,” Dickson asserted. “This Tax Reform Bill is vital for correcting an unfair system, and it will be passed through due process.”
Central to the bill, Dickson explained, 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, emphasizing 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.
Dickson concluded by stressing the urgency of the tax reform, stating that it is essential for ensuring fairness in Nigeria’s revenue-sharing system.
“This bill is 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.
With public hearings on the horizon, Senator Dickson’s message is clear: the Tax Reform Bill will pass, bringing long-overdue fairness to Nigeria’s tax system—whether or not opposition remains.