The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare has refuted rumours of cabals running the country for President.
The SA made this disclosure while speaking at Politics on Sunday, a television program anchored by Femi Akande. Speaking on the theme ‘Rebuilding Nigeria Through the Tinubu Reforms’ Dare explained the concept of cabal in the presidency. He stated that the idea of cabals are just a few persons who hold key positions that the President needs to meet daily for briefings.
Dare, who served as former Minister of Sports during the President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration, said contrary to the rumours, President Tinubu is 100 per cent in charge of the governance of the country.
“I think we’ve become so comfortable with the idea of the cabal. And you must understand how the idea of the Cabal came about. The people they call the Cabal, are the people that are holding the key sectors of the economy.
“These are people who are advisors, who must advise the President on trends. Who must put critical data in front of him, and they have access to him. How does access turn you into a member of the cabal? The Minister of Finance, for instance, sees him (Tinubu) on a constant basis. To show him all the indicators so that they can see it, they must have constant meetings.
“So, what is happening is that this idea of cabal has a negative connotation that we entrench. I think that notion should change. Because any government you have 5 to 7 people who are holding key positions and who must brief the President on a constant basis, that access is what people think makes them a cabal.
“The President is 100 per cent in charge and he has always been from day one. And he has shown it when the CBN cybersecurity tax came up. The President canceled it because he dealt with what the facts are.
“The tax reform bill you are talking about, he was briefed on a constant basis all through. Being a chartered accountant, that he is, with his vast experience it shows that there’s a future for our country in this tax reform bill.”
The Presidential Aide, commenting on the tax reform bill before the National Assembly, said the president has acted within the ambits of the law. He stated that the President acted within the law by allowing the legislative process to take its course.
Dare added that the tax reform bill when signed into law, will be critical for reforms in the various sectors of the economy.
He said, “I think it’s absolutely important, because when you look at the four bills right now, at the National Assembly, and they are just bills. They’re not acts yet, that means there’s still an opening to have conversations around the bills. Take out some things, readjust certain elements of it, and bring it back.
“I think it’s a remarkable bill and it’s critical for the reforms. The larger reforms in various sectors that the President is working on. When you look at the Nigerian tax bill, the overall bill. You look at the joint tax bill, you look at that for revenue, then you look at the tax administration.
“The President’s preference is to have a de jure approach to it, not a de facto. Because even if you do it outside of the legislature, then he must have contravened Nigeria’s constitution. So, being a President that understands the law and the Constitution says it’s already there. Let’s have the representatives of the people from across the country, let them deliberate on it.
“The people, the Governors, Nigerians, can send in whatever comments they have. Whatever deviation they have, and then that can be processed, I think that is the best way.
“I think it’s the right way to go, because any other path will bring a crisis. When you look at the tax very well, it targets posterity, not poverty. Look at the revenue tax, for instance, you can keep 100% of the taxes within your domain. That brings about control of your taxes, but also a level of responsibility at the level of state,” he said.
The SA further explained that developed nations who were at the same level with Nigeria in the past, adopted painful tax reforms which aided them in their economic transformation.
He noted that Nigeria is on the same track to economic growth with the Tax Reform bill.
source: Nigerian Tribune
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