Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has reaffirmed his stance against the federal government’s proposed tax reform bills, dismissing any threats from the presidency as inconsequential.
Speaking during a live interview on Channels Television on Tuesday night, the governor reiterated his criticisms, arguing that the legislations disproportionately favor certain regions of the country, leaving the North at a disadvantage.
The controversy began a few days ago when Governor Mohammed openly criticized the tax reform proposals sent to the National Assembly by the Presidency.
He described the bills as skewed and called for their withdrawal to allow for modifications that would address concerns raised by stakeholders nationwide.
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The governor warned that the federal government’s refusal to accommodate these concerns could foster widespread discontent and anarchy.
In response, the Presidency accused Governor Mohammed of issuing threats against President Bola Tinubu. However, the governor dismissed this accusation, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue and constructive criticism.
“They should listen to us. We must have the courage to ask the presidency to listen to Nigerians,” he asserted.
Governor Mohammed highlighted that while the proposed tax reforms include some beneficial measures, other aspects place states in a precarious position, hindering their ability to fulfill statutory obligations to citizens.
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He urged the federal government to consider revisions to the bills, ensuring equitable economic policies that address the concerns of all regions.
Reflecting on his earlier support for President Tinubu’s reform agenda, the Bauchi governor noted that backing the administration does not preclude voicing constructive criticism.
He called for transparency in the federal government’s subsidy removal policy and advocated for equalization in exchange rate regimes to ensure the intended economic benefits reach subnational levels.
Governor Mohammed further lamented the challenges faced by states due to the devaluation of the Naira, which has significantly eroded the purchasing power of increased allocations. He pointed out that this situation complicates the execution of critical infrastructural projects.
“The value of allocations to states has increased nominally, but the real value has diminished because of the weakened Naira. This makes it increasingly difficult to meet infrastructural and developmental targets,” the governor explained.