Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has stated that President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills are detrimental to Northern Nigeria and should be reconsidered.
Speaking on Thursday at the Government House in Bauchi during a visit by the Christian community, the governor, who also chairs the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, criticized the tax reform bills currently under review by the National Assembly. He described the bills as being skewed to benefit only one part of the country, urging the President to withdraw them.
Governor Mohammed argued that the proposed reforms would leave Northern states unable to generate sufficient revenue to meet essential needs such as salary payments and infrastructure development. He warned that the government must heed calls for fairness, cautioning that neglecting the region’s concerns could lead to unrest.
“The presidency must listen to the cries about tax reform. It is not a good policy for Northern Nigeria because we will not get enough money to pay salaries or build roads. They must listen; otherwise, they are inviting anarchy, and that is not good,” the governor emphasized.
He added that the issue is not about religion or ethnicity but about fostering national unity and ensuring equitable leadership. “We voted for the presidency in this state and other states. They must not create policies that favor only one section of the country or even a single state. It’s about good leadership and national harmony,” he said.
President Tinubu, however, remains resolute about the reforms. During his recent Presidential Media Chat, he reiterated that the tax bills are necessary for revitalizing Nigeria’s economy. The reforms, which aim to broaden the tax base and improve revenue generation, have faced resistance from Northern governors and the National Economic Council since being introduced to the National Assembly.
The proposed tax bills continue to spark debate, with critics citing regional imbalances and concerns over their potential economic impact.
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