There is no letup in the opposition to the Tax Reforms Bill pending before the National Assembly as the Kano State Government has openly shot it down, insisting that it was ill-timed, lopsided and inimical to the unity of the country.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf stated this during a state-organised occasion to usher in the new year.
“This tax reform bill is not the solution to our economic challenges. Kano State stands firmly against any policy that negatively affects the welfare of our people,” he declared.
Represented by his deputy, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, Yusuf lauded the resilience of Kano residents amidst the economic challenges, and urged the Presidency to pay more attention to tackling extreme poverty and hunger, especially in the northern part of the country.
Mounting criticisms have dogged President Bola Tinubu’s transmission of the Bills to the National Assembly.
The proposed legislations comprise the Nigeria tax bill, Nigeria tax administration bill, Nigeria revenue service establishment bill, and the joint revenue board establishment bill. One of the most contentious elements is the proposed revision of the value-added tax (VAT) sharing formula, which has drawn widespread opposition, particularly from stakeholders in northern Nigeria. Some critics believe the bills are against the northern region while others argue that they would further impoverish Nigerians.
But to address the concerns, President Tinubu, on December 3, 2024 mandated the Justice Ministry to look into the concerns raised and work with the leadership of the National Assembly to finetune the rough edges in the bills.
“It is pertinent to state that the government has nothing sinister to warrant the suggestion that the process is being rushed. In line with the established legislative procedure, the Federal General welcomes meaningful inputs that can address whatever grey areas there may be in the bill.
“In this vein, President Tinubu has already directed the Federal Ministry of Justice and relevant officials who worked on the drafts to work closely with the National Assembly to ensure that all genuine concerns have been addressed before the bills are passed,” Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, said.
He noted that President Tinubu was committed to accountability to the Nigerian people and described the debates generated by the bills as welcomed and commendable.
“It is very inspiring to see Nigerians from all walks of life coming out to express their views and opinions on these matters of critical national importance,” he said. “This is the very essence and meaning of democracy.
“In the spirit of democratic engagement, there should be no room for name-calling, or for the injection of unnecessary ethnic and regional slurs into this important national conversation.”
The minister dismissed arguments that the bills are meant to impoverish some states as “fake news” and “ misinformation.”
“The fiscal reforms will not impoverish any state or region of the country, nor will they lead to the scrapping or weakening of any federal agencies,” he noted.
During mis maiden presidential media chat last week, Tinubu said the tax reform bills “have come to stay” though he signalled a willingness to make concessions to address stakeholder concerns.
In spite of the moves by the Federal Government, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, had doubled down on his criticisms as he accused the president of ignoring public concerns over the bills.
The governor warned that the bills, if passed, could have “concomitant effects” on the financial stability of states and further deepen the hardship faced by Nigerians.
“We believe that as the leader of the federation and all other federating units, they should listen to us, not act arrogantly, or show impunity as though they can proceed regardless,” Mohammed said.
He threatened that “we will show President Tinubu our true color” if he failed to withdraw the bills.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, Daniel Bwala, has alleged that the president is being “blackmailed” over the proposed tax reform bills.
He rejected Governor Mohammed’s claims, arguing that the president’s actions demonstrate responsiveness to Nigerians. He pointed out that Tinubu has not bypassed democratic processes to push through the reforms.
The presidential mouthpiece admonished that governors critical of the reforms should engage lawmakers from their states to express their concerns rather than attributing blame to the president.
“The part I disagreed with him (Mohammed) is that he created the insinuation that the president does not listen.
“If a group of governors does not get the president to do their bidding, it does not mean he is not responding to Nigerians because the governors are 37 — including the FCT ministers — but Nigerians are over 200 million.
“I think that rather than scapegoating and blackmailing the president, the governors should talk to their lawmakers.
“It is a democracy. He has presented the bills to the national assembly. It is the national assembly that will deliberate and do what they need to do in the process of the passage.
“If a governor has a concern after having a conversation with the federal government, he should dialogue with national assembly members in his state to articulate his concerns in the national assembly. At the end of the day, it will come down to voting.
“I think a lot of people are blackmailing the president and I’m not particularly mentioning anybody. The president is not in the legislative branch of government.”
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has condemned what it termed subtle threats issued by the Presidency against Governor Mohammed for his candid remarks on the proposed tax reform bills.”
In a statement released by its National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the group said “the unjust attack on the governor in a democratic setting over his stance on the controversial Tax Reforms Bills is deeply unpopular with the majority of Nigerians.”
It added that the Presidency’s response, labeling Governor Mohammed’s comments as inflammatory, is both dismissive and unhelpful.
“Instead of addressing the valid concerns raised, the Presidency has chosen to deflect and criticise. This approach does not foster the constructive dialogue needed to address the pressing issues at hand.
“We find it significant to remind all and sundry that Governor Mohammed’s comments were completely acceptable and constructive in a democratic system that encourages dialogic conversations which he made in the spirit of advocating for the welfare of Bauchi State and the broader Northern region within the Nigerian political milieu.
“His statement, ‘We will show President Tinubu our true color’ was a call for sincere and constructive dialogue with the Federal Government, not a threat.
“Governor Mohammed’s remarks echo the frustrations and concerns of countless Nigerians who believe that the Tax Reforms must not be implemented in a manner that is unjust, divisive and deliberately skewed to favour a few states over the majority.
“Regrettably, instead of heeding the governor’s wise counsel and constructive criticism that has been already echoed by vast majority of Nigerians, the Presidency snarled in response like an untamed beast at the heels of a fleeting traveler simply because of their unwillingness to swallow the pill of a bitter truth. Thus, the CNG seizes this opportunity to remind President Tinubu that his administration has, in less than two years, inflicted severe economic hardship on the populace.
“His anti-people policies, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, have led to a significant increase in fuel prices, triggering a ripple effect on transportation costs and the prices of goods. Additionally, the hike in electricity tariffs has compounded the difficulties faced by many Nigerians, making President Tinubu the foremost promoter of abject poverty across the nation.
“We urge the Presidency to prioritise resolving the persistent issues of inadequate power generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, which stifle economic growth and development. These challenges have disrupted businesses and daily life, further deepening the economic crisis.”
The group, therefore urged the Federal Government to engage with Governor Mohammed and other Northern leaders constructively rather than resorting to personal attacks or dismissive rhetoric.
Credit: The Sun