VAT Saga: I Support Your Actions – Ortom Tells Wike, Sanwo-Olu

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has commended his Rivers and Lagos State counterparts over moves to domesticate the Value Added Tax law.

Recall that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers had recently signed a bill on VAT followed by an order requiring businesses to henceforth pay VAT to the state and not to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

He signed the bill following a judgment by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt restraining the FIRS from collecting VAT in the state.

Following the ruling, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State government also passed a VAT bill and asked the FIRS to stop collecting VAT from businesses in the state.

Speaking with reporters on Friday in Makurdi, Governor Ortom said he will embrace the VAT law as long as it conforms with the constitution whether it affects his State positively or negatively.

Ortom added that he had already directed his Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to study the law and tell him the implication or otherwise of it.

“I have asked the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to study the law and let me know its implication. I don’t think there is anything wrong in embracing the law as long as it conforms with the constitution, whether it affects states positively or negatively.

“I support the governors of Rivers and Lagos States for what they are doing.

“Anything that is in tandem with the rule of law I will accept, but if anyone thinks otherwise the best thing to do is to go to court.

“I heard they are in court and if the case is decided otherwise by the Supreme Court we will accept it,” he said.