Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has shed light on why Northern governors advised President Bola Tinubu to delay the controversial tax reform bills, citing potential disadvantages to the region.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Zulum emphasized the need for thorough consultations before the bills are enacted.
“On this tax issue, there are a lot of misconceptions. We felt that the VAT provision in the tax law. Based on the calculations that we did, only Lagos and Rivers States will benefit from this scheme. We did our own research and concluded that we would lose,” Zulum stated.
“Why are we in a rush? We advised the Federal Government to take a pause and expunge some of the clauses that are inimical to Northern Nigeria. What we are saying is that give more time, let us do a deeper consultation to understand the nitty-gritty of this tax regime before passing it into law.”
The tax reform bills under consideration include the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and the Nigeria Tax Bill. Although they passed the second reading in the Senate on November 28, they have faced significant resistance, particularly from the Northern Governors Forum, Northern Elders Forum, and other stakeholders.
Zulum expressed concerns that the proposed reforms would disproportionately benefit Lagos State while leaving Northern states at a disadvantage.
Despite this opposition, Zulum clarified that the Northern governors are not antagonistic toward President Tinubu’s administration.
“I am a strong member of APC. If you can count two governors before 2019 and 2023 who were in support of Tinubu, you can mention Governor Zulum. I was the first governor to come out publicly and say that power must go to the South. Unfortunately, the President was told by many that the North was against him. 60.2 per cent of his votes came from the north,” he remarked.
The Borno governor revealed that fewer than three governors nationwide currently back the tax bills.
“As of now, you cannot get 3 governors in Nigeria that are in support of this Tax law,” he claimed.
While acknowledging President Tinubu’s authority to push the reforms, Zulum warned of potential consequences.
“We know the power of the president. I’m a system man; I respect him. If the president wants to use his power to pass the tax bill, he may have his way, but it has its consequences for the people,” he cautioned.
Zulum’s remarks come amidst growing demands for broader discourse on the proposed tax reforms. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin defended the Senate’s decision to allow the bills to pass the second reading, describing it as a chance for input from experts and the public. However, his comments have sparked backlash from Northern youths.
As debates continue, opposition to the tax reform bills remains strong, with stakeholders urging the government to ensure the policies are inclusive and equitable.
