Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has expressed strong opposition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed Tax Reform Bill currently under review in the National Assembly, stating that the North cannot support the legislation.
In an interview with BBC News Hausa, which was shared on social media platform X, Zulum highlighted the severe consequences the bill could have on the northern region and the broader Nigerian economy.
Zulum warned that the tax reforms, if passed into law, would worsen economic challenges such as poverty, hunger, and insecurity, particularly in the North. He also suggested that the repercussions would ripple through other regions of the country.
“The North will not be part of this bill,” Zulum asserted during the interview. “We believe it will lead to economic decline. Our region is already grappling with numerous challenges, and this legislation will worsen the situation. Hunger, poverty, and insecurity will escalate, creating an unsustainable future for our people.”
Zulum expressed frustration over the urgency with which the National Assembly is pushing the bill.
“There is no justification for rushing this bill when other critical legislation has taken years to pass,” he said. “It is not about opposing the government but about ensuring regional stability and economic survival. Let us not create problems that will haunt future generations.”
“If this bill is implemented, we may manage to pay once, but sustaining such payments in subsequent years will create serious economic turmoil. This is not the kind of legacy we should leave behind.”
Zulum pointed out that Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial hub, has also expressed reservations about the bill, citing potential economic setbacks. “If a state as financially strong as Lagos foresees challenges, how much more for regions like the North or other economically vulnerable states such as Oyo, Ekiti, and Ondo?”
In a direct appeal to President Tinubu, Zulum urged the president to reconsider the bill, emphasizing the North’s pivotal role in his electoral success. “The North contributed approximately 60% of the votes that brought President Tinubu into office. We expect him to listen to our concerns with compassion and understanding.”
“This is not about political loyalty; it is about protecting the people you represent. Do not betray the trust of your constituents by endorsing a bill that could devastate their livelihoods. My position is clear: opposing this bill is not an act of rebellion but a demonstration of responsibility.”
The governor further dismissed claims that the North’s opposition to the bill stems from animosity toward President Tinubu. “Let no one be deceived. We voted for him because we believed in his vision. However, this tax reform is not in the North’s interest, nor is it beneficial for the East, West, or South-South. Even Lagos State has highlighted its potential drawbacks. It is in the nation’s interest to abandon it.”
Zulum concluded with a plea for prudence and transparency. “We, the northern governors, have deliberated extensively on this issue, and our collective stance is firm—we cannot support this bill. Let us preserve the unity and progress of this nation by making decisions that benefit all regions equitably.”
Meanwhile, the Presidency, through its Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has defended the bill, stating that it is a critical step toward improving the lives of Nigerians and not designed to undermine any particular region.
