President Bola Tinubu has said that the tax reforms have come to stay.
Since the introduction of the tax reform bills, they have received strong objections among some lawmakers and other stakeholders.
But during his first media chat on Monday night, the President said that the benefits of the tax bills far overweigh their disadvantages.
He said that the tax reform is indeed pro-people as the bills are designed to protect the vulnerable.
He said that he would not relent on what is good for the people. “The hallmark of a good leader is the ability to do what he has to do when it has to be done”, he said.
On fighting corruption, President Tinubu said that his approach is to block the access to corruption, explaining that the removal of fuel subsidy, for instance, is another way of checking corruption, adding: :I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy”.
On possible probe of military chiefs, he said: “I am not probing anybody or service chiefs, you cannot disrespect the institution because of the threat of probe… Give them credit for what they are doing, I am proud of what they are going today”.
He said that Nigeria is on the way to economic rebirth. ”Nigeria is moving forward regardless of critics, this is a budget of restoration of hope and Nigeria is on the path of recovery. We can’t finish the job in one calendar year”, the President said.
He also said that he does not support price control. “I don’t believe in price control. It’s a function of demand and supply. The forces of demand and supply will work against you”.
