The National Economic Council has asked President BOLA TINUBU to withdraw the Tax Reforms Bills from the National Assembly, to allow for wider consultations and consensus building.

The National Economic Council meeting was chaired by Vice President KASHIM SHETTIMA on Thursday.

Speaking after the meeting on Thursday, the Oyo State Governor, SEYI MAKINDE said the call for wider consultations formed part of resolutions reached at the 144th meeting of the National Economic Council at the State House, Abuja.

MAKINDE told journalists that the council members agreed that it was necessary to enhance understanding of the bills among Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the Presidency had given explanations on the tax reform bill which is before the National Assembly, insisting that is not targeted at the 19 northern states.

The governors of the 19 Northern states had rejected the bill, especially the proposed amendment to the distribution of Value Added Tax (VAT) to a derivation-based model.

In statement released to newsmen on Thursday, presidential spokesman, BAYO ONANUGA, said the new proposal, as articulated in the bill, is designed to create a fairer system that will benefit all states.