Hon. (Alhaji) Rahman Owokoniran, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State, has expressed deep concern over the recently announced digital tax cooperation agreement entered into by the Federal Government of Nigeria with a foreign government, France.
Speaking on behalf of concerned Lagos stakeholders at large and African Democratic Party in particular, Hon. Owokoniran emphasized that while the party supports reforms aimed at strengthening revenue generation and improving tax revenue. it is pertinent that such measures should not be pursued under the darkness of political uncertainty.
He said: “Every sector of the society has to be protected from the threat of international exploitation. Such far-reaching agreements have to be negotiated with precision measures and international laws and regulations that protect our boundaries, our rights and our interests.
“This transaction has to be transparent and fair to both countries to pass the litmus test for the people’s approval. We demand that public opinion be respected in this case. After all, the sovereignty of this nation is vested in the hands of the people of this country, Nigeria.”
He noted that the digital economy involves sensitive financial, commercial and data-related information, warning that any agreement affecting this sector must be subjected to public scrutiny, legislative oversight, and expert evaluation.
According to him, the apparent lack of comprehensive disclosure surrounding the agreement raises legitimate questions about data security and privacy concerns, scrutiny of its contents, the potential risks associated with the deal and its implementation in the event of a breach of the agreement amongst other things.
Hon. Owokoniran further stressed that Nigeria possesses adequate local expertise and institutional capacity to design and manage digital tax frameworks without undue reliance on external entities.
He cautioned that agreements perceived to sideline local capacity development could undermine confidence in government policy and weaken public trust.
The ADC chieftain therefore called on the Federal Government to publish the full details of the agreement, engage the National Assembly, and consult widely with relevant professionals and civil society actors.
He maintained that openness and accountability are essential to ensuring that any digital tax arrangement genuinely serves the interests of the Nigerian people.
Hon. Owokoniran reaffirmed the ADC’s commitment to responsible governance, economic sovereignty, and people-centered policies, urging the government to reassess the agreement in line with democratic principles and national priorities.
