Borno Gov Zulum
Opposition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed Tax Reform Bill intensified Friday, with Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum voicing strong concerns over the legislation’s potential to destabilize Northern Nigeria and other regions.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Zulum criticised the rapid legislative process surrounding the bill, contrasting it with the nearly two-decade deliberation on the Petroleum Industry Bill.
“Why the rush? The Petroleum Industry Bill took almost 20 years before it was finally passed. But this tax reform bill is being transmitted and receiving legislative attention within a week. It should be treated carefully and with caution so that even after our exit, our children will reap its benefits,” Zulum argued.
The governor further alleged that the bill’s provisions are unfairly skewed against certain regions.
“We condemn these bills sent to the National Assembly. They will drag the North backwards and also affect the South East, South West, and some South-Western states like Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo,” he stated.
Zulum also expressed concerns about possible influences misleading President Tinubu into believing that the North is unsupportive of his administration.
“This is not opposition. Based on our understanding, this bill will destroy the North entirely. We call on President Tinubu to review this decision. He secured 60% of his votes from the North. He should not listen to those telling him the North is not supporting him. What we need is the withdrawal of these tax bills,” he emphasised.
The governor warned that if enacted, the legislation could leave Northern states unable to fund essential projects or sustain salary payments.
“If these bills pass, we won’t even be able to pay salaries. And if we do, it won’t be sustainable the following year. We are against it, and even Lagos State is against it. If this bill is dragging regions backwards, why won’t they rescind it? Our National Assembly members, including some from the South, are not in support of it,” he lamented.
Zulum clarified that the opposition to the bill is not a rejection of Tinubu’s administration.
“This is our position, and it doesn’t mean we are against the government. We supported and voted for President Tinubu. But these bills will not be beneficial to us,” he reiterated.
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The Senate recently passed the tax reform bills for a second reading, following a debate among lawmakers. The bills have been referred to the Committee on Finance, which has six weeks to review them.
The legislative package includes four key bills: the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, designed to establish a fiscal framework for taxation; the Tax Administration Bill, aimed at reducing disputes; the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will replace the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act; and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and tax ombudsman.
As the debate over the tax reforms continues, critics like Zulum are urging President Tinubu to reconsider the implications of the proposals on Nigeria’s economic and regional stability.
Global Financial Digest
