As controversy continue to trail the Tax Reform Bills of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum has voiced his opposition to the Bills.
Recall that the Bills have been subjects of debate at the National Assembly with the Bills passing second reading in Senate.
Fielding questions in an interview on BBC News Hausa, Zulum, stated his opposition to the Bills.
The Governor’s views were contained in a post on his X Platform.
According to the post, Zulum emphasized that the North will not be party to the proposed legislation.
The Governor noted the detrimental effects the Bill would have on the North and other regions in the country.
He, therefore, warned that the tax reforms would lead to economic decline. Aggravate hunger, poverty, and insecurity, especially in the northern region of the country.
Zulum also questioned the rush by the National Assembly to ensure swift passage of the Bill. This, he said is in contrast with the prolonged delay of the Petroleum Bill in the National Assembly.
“Our agitation is that we know if passed into law, we will not be able to pay. And if we pay once, the next year, it will become trouble because we won’t be able to pay again.
“Let’s not create problems and leave them behind for our future generations,” Zulum said.
The Governor noted that Lagos State has also expressed concerns about the Bill. Citing potential economic difficulties thereby underscoring the widespread concern across regional lines.
Zulum, therefore, appealed to President Ahmed Tinubu to intervene. He cited the North’s significant contribution of about 60 percent votes to his presidential victory.
The Governor urged Tinubu to consider the region’s concerns with compassion.
He said, “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,” Zulum said.
The Governor also called on members of the National Assembly not to betray the trust of your constituents by passing the bill.
He noted that, “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, grandchildren, brothers, sisters in our communities, and 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.
source: Daily Post
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