By Bimbo Ogunnaike
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has called on the National Assembly to hold a public hearing on the hate speech bill before it to ensure that the views of Nigerians were represented in the passage of the bill.
The NGF Vice Chairman and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, made the call during an address with journalists at the end of the forum meeting held on Wednesday night in Abuja.
“They should respect the views of Nigerians in whatever may be the direction of debate and the eventual passage or otherwise of that bill,” Tambuwal said, urging the federal lawmakers to respect the views of Nigerians on the bill.
Tambuwal
Asked of the governors’ position on the Finance Bill submitted to the NASS by President Muhammadu Buhari to increase Value Added Tax (VAT) from five to 7.5. per cent, NGF chairman appealed to Nigerians to show more understanding with the Federal Government,” he said.
Tambuwal explained that the governors were in support of what would improve the revenue generation drive of both the federal and state governments.
“We are appealing to those who probably have no proper understanding of the context of those bill to kindly have a rethink of them and reflect on quantum of work ahead of us.
”As a country and states, we need a lot of resources to turn around infrastructure, to invest in education, healthcare and every sector of our national life.
“There is urgent need of more revenue in Nigeria. So, I appeal that we should show more understanding with the Federal Government in that regard,” he added.
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