Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has raised concerns about the impact of the proposed tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly, claiming that the policies favor only one part of the country, particularly the southern region.
The governor voiced his concerns during a meeting with members of the Christian community in Bauchi on Thursday, urging President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the reforms before they lead to serious consequences.
Governor Mohammed, who also serves as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, stated that the tax reform policies would harm the northern states, making it difficult for them to generate enough funds to pay public sector salaries. He emphasized that the policy, as it stands, does not take into account the economic realities faced by northern Nigeria.
He further warned that the policy could trigger unrest, saying, “They must listen, otherwise, they are calling for anarchy and that is not good. We voted for the president in the state and other states.
“They must listen to us! They must not come up with a policy that favours only one state in the country.
“It is not about religion. It is not about tribe. It is about national unity. It is about national hegemony.
Governor Mohammed made it clear that while they had supported President Tinubu during the elections, continued disregard for the concerns of northern states could lead to strong opposition.
He stated, “We are all about good leadership, and we will continue to urge them for the time being, but if the situation persists, they will see our real colour. We are going to fight for it.”
President Tinubu, in a recent media chat, defended the tax reforms, stating that they are essential to widen the tax base and improve the nation’s financial system.
Despite facing significant pushback, especially from northern leaders, he maintained, “The tax reform is here to stay. The reform is pro-poor and it is to widen the tax net, so we can have more people paying.”
However, the president also acknowledged the ongoing debates and expressed openness to further negotiations on the matter, saying, “Tax matters are subjects of debates and negotiations. I don’t mind cutting edges. I will.”
