In an Executive bill scheduled to be passed in the national assembly, politicians found guilty of tax evasion will be barred from seeking elective offices
The plan was made known yesterday by chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee Taiwo Oyedele.
He said an amendment to an existing tax law will be sent to the National Assembly to ensure tax compliance and prevent default by the political class.
Oyedele, who spoke at the 2024 strategic retreat for staff of the Joint Tax Board (JTB) in Abuja, outlined key reforms on tax compliance among politicians and the plan to set up a national tax amnesty programme.
He said a proposed amendment to the existing tax law would disqualify those who fail to meet their tax obligations from running for political office.
Oyedele said: “We’re moving beyond a tax clearance certificate, which can be easily obtained. Effective compliance involves a thorough examination of tax declarations, filings, and payments to determine if a candidate is genuinely fulfilling his tax responsibilities as outlined in the constitution.
“This issue arose during the last election. The argument was that the constitution doesn’t explicitly list tax compliance as a qualification criterion. We’re rectifying this oversight to ensure financial responsibility among those seeking public office.”
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