APC Governor opposes Tinubu’s Tax Reforms Bill, says it will bring economic decline

APC Governor opposes Tinubu’s Tax Reforms Bill, says it will bring economic decline

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, has during an interview with BBC hausa, expressed firm opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reforms Bill, which is currently being debated in the National Assembly.

The interview which was shared on X, Zulum clearly stated that the northern region will not back the proposed legislation.

The governor expressed deep concerns about the negative impact the bill would have on the North and other regions, warning that its implementation could lead to economic decline, hunger, poverty, and increased insecurity, particularly in the northern states.

Zulum also questioned the urgency with which the National Assembly is pushing for the swift passage of the bill, pointing out the stark contrast to the lengthy delay in passing the Petroleum Industry Bill.

He raised concerns about the bill’s affordability and long-term sustainability, stating, “Our concern is that once the law is passed, we won’t be able to pay, and even if we manage to pay once, it will become unsustainable in the future.”

He further cautioned against creating problems that could burden future generations, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of the bill’s consequences. Zulum also highlighted that Lagos State, like the North, has expressed reservations about the bill, reflecting broader regional apprehension about its potential economic impact.

In his appeal, Governor Zulum urged President Tinubu to intervene, reminding him that the North contributed approximately 60 percent of the votes that secured his presidential victory.

He called on the president to approach the region’s concerns with empathy and understanding.

“We believe this Bill, if passed into Law will completely destroy or kill the North as a whole. We are calling on all relevant stakeholders including President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to raise up and look into this matter.

“It will not only affect the North, but the Eastern and Western even the South-South regions. States like Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo will have problems too. They are equally saying it will also take Lagos State backward and if that’s the case, we all don’t want Lagos to go backward.

“Therefore, let’s leave things the way they are currently.”

Addressing members of the National Assembly, Zulum said, “Do not betray the trust of your constituents by passing the bill. Opposing the bill does not imply opposition to the government but rather a commitment to protecting regional interests.

“My position is that we should all be careful, we have families, grand children, brothers, sisters in our communities, our states to look out for.”

“Therefore, whatsoever that will not favour the North, our states – we – the Northern Governors – have met and discussed our position on it and will not be party to this Bill.

“The President should stop listening to comments that those from the North hated him. Let us be careful, no one should be deceived. This is politics, we voted him, this issue of tax will not remove us from our positions,” Zulum insisted.

The Presidency, represented by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, had previously emphasised that the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly are vital for enhancing the well-being of Nigerians.

Onanuga clarified that these reforms were not introduced by President Tinubu to disadvantage any region of the country.