Abuja: The Progressive Institute (TPI) and the Amalgamated Forum of Former Councillors in Nigeria (AFFCN) are initiating a campaign to educate grassroots communities nationwide about the Federal Government’s electoral and tax reforms. This announcement was made by Dr. Lanre Adebayo, the Director-General of TPI, during a press conference in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event, themed ‘The Nationwide Summit to Demystify Nigeria’s Tax and Electoral Reforms for Grassroots Appreciation’, was organized by TPI in collaboration with AFFCN. Dr. Adebayo emphasized that the summit is designed to clarify the Federal Government’s significant reform agenda. The South-South pilot edition is slated for August 13 and 14 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, and aims to address misinformation and misconceptions about the reforms.
Dr. Adebayo highlighted that the summit seeks to enhance civic participation in governance and democratic processes by fostering grassroots ownership of the reform agenda. The initiative is expected to stimulate informed public discourse and counter misinformation about the reforms.
The campaign leverages the unique strength of former councillors from the six South-South states, who possess extensive community reach and are respected voices within their localities. Their involvement is intended to bolster policy communication and facilitate broader grassroots appreciation of the reforms. Collaboration with AFFCN demonstrates a shared commitment to promoting informed public engagement and ensuring national reforms are well understood by the populace.
Dr. Adebayo mentioned that the summit is also a proactive measure against disinformation, ensuring that citizens are not swayed by partisan propaganda. He pointed out that certain opposition forces have inaccurately depicted the tax reforms as punitive, while in reality, the reforms are tailored to benefit low and middle-income earners. They are designed to protect low-income earners, reduce the tax burden on small businesses, and foster a conducive fiscal environment for enterprise growth and job creation.
He encouraged governments at all levels to support the initiative, calling for partnerships with the National Assembly, electoral and revenue management institutions, development partners, corporate organizations, civic society groups, and the media to ensure accurate information reaches the grassroots, thereby enhancing public confidence in Nigeria’s reform agenda.
Nkereuwem James, the National Focal Person of AFFCN, stressed the importance of public sensitization on these policies to prevent misinformation by opposition parties. He urged Nigerians to embrace the tax reform, which shifts the tax burden from low-income earners to large corporate organizations, aiming to build a more informed citizenry and a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.