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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged the Federal Government to disclose the details of the recent agreement on digital tax reform and revenue administration signed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) with the Government of France.
The party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made this request in a statement released on Sunday.
The ADC expressed worries that the agreement poses a risk to Nigeria’s data security and may expose crucial national economic information to foreign exploitation.
They stated that efforts by the FIRS to address these concerns have not convinced anyone that the agreement was made in the nation’s best interest, especially due to the hasty and secretive manner in which it was arranged.
“The ADC has thoroughly reviewed expert opinions on the recent agreement concerning digital tax reform and revenue administration signed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on behalf of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration with the Government of France.
“Taxation is a business matter, not a charitable endeavor. While the FIRS has outlined what Nigeria stands to gain from this agreement, it has not clarified what France stands to gain from this deal.
“Why did the Federal Government of Nigeria enter into such a significant agreement, which may infringe upon national security and sovereignty, without publicly disclosing its complete terms, engaging openly with the National Assembly, or making any substantial efforts to involve Nigerians?
“More importantly, we cannot overlook the larger political context surrounding this agreement. In West Africa, France’s role and influence are increasingly being scrutinized. Former French colonies are either loosening or severing their neo-colonial ties with France. Yet, under the Bola Tinubu administration, Nigeria seems to be aligning more closely with France than ever before.
“Nigeria’s local content policy was designed to foster the development of national human capital and reduce capital flight by promoting domestic industries, particularly in service provision. With numerous competent and globally recognized national service providers in this sector, why does President Tinubu seem to favor his French connections over local capacities?
“These tax reforms should create opportunities to strengthen national institutions and build local capacity, rather than establishing new dependencies or transferring strategic control of our economic intelligence to external parties.
“Therefore, the ADC is calling for the complete publication of this agreement, a proper briefing of the National Assembly, and an independent evaluation of its implications for data security, cybersecurity, and national sovereignty. The specifics of this closed-door arrangement must be made public, or it should be annulled,” the statement concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ADC's position on the digital tax reform agreement?
The ADC is calling for full transparency regarding the digital tax reform agreement, citing concerns over data security and national sovereignty.
Why does the ADC want the agreement's details to be publicized?
The ADC believes that the agreement could endanger Nigeria’s data security and expose critical economic information to foreign exploitation, hence they demand full disclosure.
What are the implications of this agreement for Nigeria?
The ADC argues that the agreement could potentially infringe on Nigeria's national security and sovereignty, and stresses the need for an independent assessment of its implications.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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