Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North in the National Assembly, has debunked rumors suggesting that President Bola Tinubu plans to introduce Alphabeta, a consulting firm, into the country’s tax system through the Federal Government’s new tax reform bills.

Kalu addressed these concerns during an interview with Arise Television on Monday, shedding light on the essence of the reforms.

Alphabeta, which has been linked to Tinubu from his tenure as governor of Lagos State, has sparked speculations among some Nigerians who fear its involvement could resurface at a national level.

Critics argue that Alphabeta’s role in Lagos was controversial due to its monopoly on tax revenue collection, raising questions about transparency and accountability.

However, Kalu dismissed such fears, insisting that the tax reform efforts are entirely unrelated to Alphabeta or any similar entity.

He emphasized that the reforms aim to modernize Nigeria’s outdated tax laws, which he believes are a major obstacle to the nation’s economic development.

“One of my friends called me with concerns, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu plans to introduce another Alphabeta in Nigeria, just as he did in Lagos.

But that’s not the issue,” Kalu clarified. “The real matter is that Nigeria’s tax laws, alongside many of our other laws, are obsolete and need urgent updates.”

Kalu, who served as governor of Abia State from 1999 to 2007, is a seasoned politician with firsthand knowledge of governance and legislative processes.

He voiced strong support for the tax reform bills, describing them as a step in the right direction for the country’s financial system.

According to him, a modernized tax framework is essential for fostering economic growth, attracting investments, and reducing reliance on borrowing.

President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been pushing for reforms across various sectors, with tax reforms taking center stage in its agenda.

The Federal Government recently proposed a series of bills aimed at restructuring the tax system to enhance efficiency and revenue generation.

These reforms are expected to address loopholes in the current tax regime while ensuring that the system is fair and equitable for all Nigerians.