The South-East caucus in the Senate has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills but emphasized the need for broader consultations with stakeholders in the region.

Addressing reporters after a caucus meeting in Abuja on Monday, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the caucus leader, stated that the lawmakers were not opposed to the bills but sought to ensure a more inclusive approach.

“We need to consult with our constituents across the 15 senatorial districts in the South-East, our state governments, and other critical stakeholders,” said Abaribe, who represents Abia South. “We have read through the bills and want to share our knowledge with other stakeholders for a much more equitable framework in the bills that would eventually be passed.”

The proposed bills, sent to the National Assembly by Tinubu in October, have faced opposition from northern governors and some lawmakers. Despite calls from the National Economic Council (NEC) for the President to withdraw the bills for further consultations, Tinubu has remained steadfast, and the bills have advanced to the public hearing stage in the Senate after passing the second reading.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, reinforced the caucus’s stance in a post on X (formerly Twitter), noting that the group agreed to pursue “extensive consultations with all major stakeholders” to ensure the reforms are equitable and beneficial.

The caucus reiterated its commitment to contributing constructively to the legislative process while prioritizing the interests of its constituents. The tax reform bills are part of Tinubu’s broader economic agenda to stimulate growth and revenue generation amid Nigeria’s fiscal challenges.