Full Text: Governor Zulum’s Appeal To Halt Passage Of Tinubu’s Tax Bills

Full Text: Governor Zulum’s Appeal To Halt Passage Of Tinubu’s Tax BillsThe Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has called for the withdrawal of the controversial tax reform bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu. Zulum expressed concern that the bills, which were presented to the National Assembly in September, would negatively impact the northern region of the country and hinder its development.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The tax reform bills have sparked opposition from northern governors, traditional rulers, and members of the Northern Elders Forum. Despite this, the Senate passed the bills for a second reading on Thursday, amidst disruptions and tensions during plenary.

In an interview with BBC Hausa, Governor Zulum criticized the swift passage of the bills, highlighting the contrast with other legislation that had taken years to progress through the National Assembly. He said, “We strongly condemn these bills. They will set the north back, and not just the north, but also the South East, South West, and even some states in the South West, such as Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo. This is not about opposition; it is about protecting the future of our region.”

Zulum urged President Tinubu to reconsider the bills, stressing that the President received significant support from the north during the elections, securing 60% of his votes in the region. He appealed to the President, saying, “If the interests of the north are considered, that would be enough. What we need now is the withdrawal of these tax bills.”

The governor also raised concerns about the speed with which the bills were being processed, noting that other important bills, like the Petroleum Industry Bill, took nearly 20 years to pass. He said, “Why the rush? The petroleum bill took almost two decades, but this one is being fast-tracked within a week. We believe the bills should be handled with more caution, so future generations can benefit from sound decisions.”

Zulum further expressed fears that, if passed, the tax reforms could harm the northern economy, leading to difficulties in paying salaries and possibly worsening the economic situation in the region. “If these bills are passed, we might struggle to pay salaries, and even if we do, it won’t be sustainable in the long term,” he warned.

When asked if the bills would exacerbate poverty and hunger in the north, Zulum affirmed that they would, adding that the security situation could also worsen. “Yes, it will worsen hunger, poverty, and even security in the north. Lagos is against it too, and many from the southern region are also opposed to it. So why continue with this path? We are asking for a reconsideration.”

Zulum clarified that his objection to the bills was not a sign of opposition to the government but a plea for a reversal of the decision. He emphasized, “We supported and voted for President Tinubu. But these bills will not be beneficial to us.”

On the issue of potential lobbying and kickbacks in the National Assembly, Zulum acknowledged the rumors but refrained from making definitive claims, saying, “There are rumors, but we cannot be sure. What I am calling for is patriotism. We have children, grandchildren, and relatives in the villages. We must be careful not to endorse anything that could harm the progress of the north or any region.”

In conclusion, Governor Zulum made an urgent appeal to President Tinubu to listen to the concerns of the people and to address the negative impact the tax reform bills could have on the country’s northern region.

For more information on this article and other related posts from Bushradiogist, please join our WhatsApp channel by clicking this link https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaUumOODTkK7AZL1Fw3o. For advertisement inquiries only, kindly send a message to 090 1907 0863 on WhatsApp.