Tinubu’s tax reform bills will only benefit Lagos state – Zulum

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has raised concerns over the proposed tax reform bills, arguing that they would disproportionately benefit Lagos State while leaving other states, particularly in the North, at a disadvantage.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Zulum clarified that his concerns were not an opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s administration but a call for fairness. He reiterated his support for the president, emphasizing his role in advocating for a power shift to the South and highlighting that 60.2% of Tinubu’s votes came from the North.

Zulum revealed that governors had advised the federal government during a National Economic Council (NEC) meeting to delay the implementation of the bills and consult more broadly with stakeholders to ensure equitable outcomes. He emphasized the importance of consultation in a democratic setting, stating that his position was not an attack on the president but a request for transparency and fairness.

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He warned of the economic implications the bills could have on states outside Lagos, pointing out that analyses suggest that while Lagos might gain significantly, regions like the Southeast, South-South, and even parts of the Southwest could face setbacks.

The governor also noted that some Lagos officials had expressed reservations about the reforms, indicating potential revenue losses for the state. He called for a pause in implementing the bills, advocating for thorough analysis and comprehensive discussions to ensure fair benefits for all states.

Responding to Zulum’s remarks, Tope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, dismissed the governor’s claims as untrue.

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In a Facebook post, Ajayi criticized Zulum for spreading misinformation, particularly the assertion that the bills proposed the scrapping of TETFUND, NASENI, and NITDA by 2029. Ajayi stated that no part of the tax reform bills contains such provisions and urged against the propagation of falsehoods in public debates.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called for justice and equity in the ongoing controversy surrounding the tax reform bills. In a post on his X account, Atiku urged the National Assembly to make the NEC’s resolutions on the bills public.

He stressed the need for a fiscal system that does not exacerbate the uneven development of federating units by favoring a few states at the expense of others. Atiku called for objectivity and transparency in the public hearing process, urging inclusive participation by stakeholders, including civil society organizations, traditional institutions, public officials, and subject matter experts. He reiterated that Nigerians have voiced a collective demand for a fair and just fiscal system that promotes balanced development across the nation.

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