The Northern Elders’ Forum, NEF, has joined the dissenting voices of those that have rejected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill.
The Forum stated that its opposition is borne out of the fact that the policy was “conceived in bad faith”. They, however, warned that the policy threatens national cohesion.
The group also criticized the manner of reform implementation. They alleged that key stakeholders in the economic sector, including members of the National Economic Council, were sidelined during the process.
This was disclosed by the Convener of NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi, in a communique on Saturday in Abuja.
Speaking after the forum’s Board of Trustees second bi-annual meeting, Abdullahi warned against dubious policies. He noted that such policies could further marginalize the North’s resource potential.
The Forum, therefore, lauded the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers for opposing the bill. While describing their stance as “patriotic” they urged Northern politicians in the National Assembly to speak out against Bill.
He said, “The meeting seriously maintained that, in its present form, the Tax Reform Bill is conceived in bad faith. Poorly packaged and it is a palpable threat to our unity and national cohesion.
“The meeting proceeded by drawing attention to the brazen cavalier way and suspicious manner in which the Tax Reform Bill was imposed on the nation. Without allowing the in-puts of critical stakeholders, even as it kept members of the National Economic Council in the dark. Thus, confirming the sinister intentions of those promoting this outrageous Bill.
“The Board-in-session, condemned in very strong terms, the conspicuous loss of voice on this burning issue by the overwhelming number of elected politicians in the National Assembly from the region. And fiercely warned, that indeed, the days are fast gone when such conspiratorial connivance against the vital and strategic interest of the region, either by those within or outside the region, would not be condoned or even tolerated,” Abdullahi stated.
The NEF, however, urged Northerners to remain vigilant in defending their rights, particularly during elections. They also warned against falling victim to manipulation by unscrupulous leaders with questionable records.
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