Tax reform bills: Lamido, Galadima reopen anti-North rhetoric with inheritance tax

• Tax on inheritance is un-Islamic, says Lamido
• Galadima warns of political consequences if bill is passed
• Passage of tax bill will guarantee more revenue — Ekiti govt
 

Former Jigawa State governor and ex-Foreign Affairs Minister, Sule Lamido, yesterday threw up a new subject of controversy in what has been termed the ‘anti-North bill’ when he strongly opposed the proposed taxation on inheritance contained in President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform agenda, calling it a violation of Islamic principles.  
  
This is coming two weeks after proponents of the controversial tax reform bill secured consensus with the backing of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and as chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax Policy and Fiscal Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, looks set for the passage of the bill in March and full implementation by July this year.
   
Speaking in an interview with The Guardian, Lamido urged the President to adopt a more inclusive approach in implementing economic policies, warning that high-handedness in policy reforms could undermine national trust.
   
Lamido emphasised that Tinubu, as a Muslim, should be aware that Islamic law explicitly prohibits taxation on inheritance, as the Quran dictates clear guidelines for the distribution of a deceased person’s wealth. “There is no way you can tax money that is meant for inheritance. It is illegal, against God, and the Quran,” he stated.

“So, the president can go ahead with his threats to pass the bills, but he should not forget that there are political consequences. However, I don’t want to divide this debate into ‘South’ versus ‘North’; we should all approach these matters in clear, unified terms. If anyone from this region of the country criticises the policies of the government, it is because they have a stake in it—they contributed to its establishment.”