- Says Bills ‘ll Drag North Backwards
By Kolawole Ojebisi
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has explained why he, and other governors from the North, are against the proposed tax reform bills before the National Assembly.
Zulum, who expressed strong concerns over the bills, believed that passing the bills into law could have devastating consequences for the Northern region and other parts of the country.
The governor expressed his fears during an interview with BBC Hausa on Friday.
He criticised the speed with which the bill is progressing through the legislative process, drawing comparisons to the Petroleum Industry Bill, which took nearly two decades to pass.
“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 stated.
The governor alleged that the bill is structured to disadvantage certain regions of the country.
“We condemn these bills sent to the National Assembly. They will drag the North backward and also affect the South East, South West, and some South-Western states like Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo,” he added.
Zulum further alleged that some individuals might be influencing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into believing that the North does not support 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 said.
The governor warned that if the bill is passed, Northern states would struggle to implement developmental projects, including paying salaries.
“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 backward, why won’t they rescind it? Our National Assembly members, including some from the South, are not in support of it,” he lamented.
Speaking on behalf of the North East, the governor clarified that their opposition to the bill does not amount to opposition to the 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 noted.
The New Diplomat had reported how the Senate on Thursday passed the tax reform bills for a second reading following a debate among lawmakers.
The bills were subsequently referred to the Committee on Finance, which was instructed to revert in no more than six weeks.
