By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has criticised the National Opposition Movement (NOM) over its stance on the Federal Government’s tax reforms, urging Nigerians to support the initiative in the interest of the nation’s economic recovery.

Showunmi called on citizens to disregard what he described as “alarmism and recycled politics” by the opposition group, insisting that the ongoing tax reforms remain critical to restructuring Nigeria’s public finances and building a sustainable fiscal framework.

In a statement made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Showunmi accused the NOM of lacking credible economic solutions and relying instead on political nostalgia and selective outrage.

According to him, the opposition group has failed to articulate a workable economic vision, choosing rhetoric over practical alternatives.

The statement, titled “It Is Time to Cut the Crap and Let Nigeria Move Forward with Long-Overdue Tax Reform,” argued that the National Opposition Movement has offered familiar narratives rather than constructive proposals.

“Those who presided over years of fiscal indiscipline should prepare for elections, not attempt to obstruct reforms essential for Nigeria’s future,” Showunmi said.

He noted that Nigeria’s tax reforms align with global best practices, citing international institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, which advocate broad, transparent and predictable tax systems as tools for inclusive growth and poverty reduction.

“Globally, Nigeria is not acting in isolation, nor is it experimenting recklessly. The reforms underway are consistent with international best practice,” he said.

Showunmi pointed to examples across Africa; including Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa where governments expanded taxpayer registration, introduced compulsory tax identification, adopted digital filing systems and enforced stricter compliance, often during periods of economic stress.

“Although these reforms were initially resisted, branded anti-poor and criticised as poorly timed, today these countries enjoy stronger revenue performance, improved investor confidence and greater fiscal space for social spending,” he said.

He added that a broad tax base with limited exemptions remains the most efficient and equitable way to raise revenue and support inclusive growth, stressing that the World Bank has consistently linked development outcomes to strong domestic revenue systems.

“Countries that succeed in reducing poverty and inequality do so by building tax systems that are transparent, predictable and broadly based,” he said.

The statement also referenced the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which argues that low tax-to-GDP ratios often reflect weak state capacity to provide essential public goods, rather than compassion for citizens.

Showunmi recalled India’s landmark Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, which faced stiff resistance at inception but later strengthened the country’s economy.

He also cited Nigeria’s recent fuel subsidy removal, noting that critics had predicted economic collapse.

“Instead, subsidy removal dismantled a regressive system that disproportionately benefited the wealthy and drained public finances,” he said.

Showunmi maintained that opposition to reform should be rooted in facts and realistic alternatives, not what he described as “theatrical despair and recycled slogans.”

He stressed that fiscal irresponsibility, rather than taxation, inflicts the greatest harm on the poor through inflation, currency instability and excessive government borrowing.

“Good governance and sustainable development are impossible without adequate domestic resources,” he said. “Reform is difficult, but postponing it only deepens the pain for future generations.”