Aspiring to become a member of the Kwara State House of Assembly representing Magaji Negri constituency in the forthcoming election, Barr. Senior Sulyman Ibrahim is a practicing lawyer in the capital city of Abuja. He is the son of the pioneer Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in Kwara State, Barr. Kunle Sulyman. In this interview by MONSURAT RUFAI he speaks on his political background and journey, the reasons behind his aspiration and taxation by Kwara state government among several other pressing issues.
Can we meet you?
Yes, you can. Am Barrister Senior Ibrahim Sulyman
What is your political background?
My political background is what I will refer to as the progressives of Kwara; those that believed the piloting of affairs of Kwara State can be better than what the present crop of leaders are offering, by the way; am a member of Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State. I could remember witnessing the launching of the party at Baboko community secondary school in 1999. I could vividly remember contesting for the State Legal Adviser of the party in 2014. So have been all along an active member of the Peoples Democratic Party with all it stands for.
Sir, there is a rumour going around that you want to contest for KWARA State House of Assembly how true is it and why not Local Government Chairman?
The assertion that I intend contesting for Magajingeri Constituency Kwara State House of Assembly seat under the umbrella of our great party is no longer a rumour, but a reality; having declared intention to vie for same at the State, Constituency and Local Government structures of the party.
It is House of Assembly and not Local Government Chairmanship because I belong to the school of thought that sees law as an instrument of social change and in Kwara for instance there are some draconian laws that I believed are not good for the development of Kwara, for instance, one has to question the house of assembly that passed the Kwara State Private Executive Law that gives millions of Naira for Ex Governors and Deputies, particularly in a state that is struggling to pay the salaries of civil servants, and the stipends being paid to them as pension for serving for 35 years; as opposed to the conducive atmosphere and paraphernalia of office for serving as Governor or Deputy for just 8 years. Where is the sense of justice in this? It is because of the need to right some of this wrongs that prompted me to aspire for house of assembly.
In addition, house of assembly contrary to popular believe, is not only a law making body, there is what is called constituency allowance which ought to be channelled towards constituency developmental projects.
Constituency projects are not only for Senators and house of representatives, a house of assembly member particularly with the recent enactment of the National Assembly which Mr. President gave assent to, a couple of weeks ago which gave financial autonomy to both the Judiciary and the House of Assembly, there are no longer excuses for non performance.
So in summary, if elected ” constituency allowances will be channelled towards constituency developmental projects ” as opposed to the prevailing trend before now.
What is your political ideology and who is your godfather or leader?
I am a socialist, that strongly believes in the state giving everybody according to his needs and contributing by every body according to its ability.
What do you understand about legislature, legislating and legislative?
The legislature is the arm of government saddled with the responsibility of law making, while legislations are law made; and legislative is the duty to make such laws.
As a politician what would you tell us about taxation, i mean isn’t it a burden on a striving individual who is salary earner for example and at the same time a private ownership paying tax on all these things. Don’t you think it’s a burden?
Taxation is not necessarily a burden if the proceeds of tax are used towards the needs of society. We have different types of taxes, in instances where higher taxes are paid by big companies and richer individual in the society compared to the smaller businesses and less privilege individuals, it serves as a means of redistribution of wealth.
But where same percentage of tax is paid irrespective of status with the believe that equality is equity it may be a burden to the smaller businesses and less privilege individuals who are to be encouraged to grow. So depending on the type and nature of tax.
For instance, taxes can be used to discourage certain societal ills by Government, for instance; excessive tax on alcohol and tobacco can lead to reduction on the use of them, which is ordinarily harmful to the taker and the society, in those instances, can we say tax is a burden? Depending on the nature, type and objective of a particular tax.