Former Chief Whip and Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has reaffirmed the North’s value to Nigeria, dismissing notions of dependency and voicing strong opposition to the controversial tax reform bills currently under consideration.
In a statement issued over the weekend, Ndume described the North as an asset rather than a liability, emphasizing that the proposed tax reforms unfairly burden low- and middle-income Nigerians, who are already struggling under existing economic challenges.
“The North was, is, and will never be a parasite or dependent on any region or even the country. We are assets, not liabilities, to Nigeria,” Ndume said.
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“Those who think that the current tax reforms are only against Northern interests are naive. As it is, the law is against all low- and middle-income Nigerians.”
The senator urged the withdrawal of the tax bills, calling for broader consultations and increased stakeholder involvement in the reform process.
He also challenged the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to focus on expanding the tax net while enhancing accountability and transparency in tax administration.
“The FIRS should concentrate on expanding the tax net and collecting more. Also, accountability and transparency should be increased,” he advised.
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Ndume further criticized commercial banks, suggesting that their significant annual profits make them capable of contributing higher taxes.
He also advocated for governance reforms, arguing that personnel and overhead costs account for a disproportionate share of the national budget.
“Our personnel and overhead expenditure for 2024 is about 50 to 60 per cent of the budget itself,” he noted.
“Reforms must be prioritized, timed correctly, and gain the support of Nigerians because this is a democracy—a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.”
The senator concluded by stressing the importance of a holistic approach to reform, encompassing not just the Executive branch but the entire structure of governance, to address inefficiencies and improve fiscal management.