Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Friday admonished President Bola Tinubu not to listen to those telling him that the north was opposed to his administration, noting that he (Tinubu) got 60 per cent of his votes in last year’s presidential election from the north.
Zulum stated this while commenting on the controversial Tax Reform Bills on BBC Hausa service.
President Tinubu had sent the bills to the National Assembly. The bills sought to prioritize the location of consumption as the basis for sharing Value Added Tax.
The bills, now considered in the National Assembly have faced stiff opposition, especially from the north, with stakeholders calling for its withdrawal.
Northern governors, traditional rulers, and Northern Elders Forum have rejected the proposed bills also.
This had sparked conversations that the north was now in opposition to the Tinubu’s administration.
However, despite protests and rejections of the pieces of the legislation, the Senate passed the bills for second reading on Thursday despite rowdiness at plenary.
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Zulum said: “We condemn these bills transmitted to the National Assembly. They will drag the north backward, and not only the north, South East, South West and some states in the South West such as Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, will have problem with these bills.
“It is not opposition. This, based on our understanding, is something that will destroy the north in its entirety. Therefore, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and others to review this decision. He secured 60% of his votes in the north. He should not listen to those telling him that northerners are not supporting him.
“Why all the rush! There’s a petroleum bill that was presented but it took almost 20 years before it was finally passed. But this one was transmitted and now receiving legislative attention within a week. What we are saying is that, let it be treated carefully and with caution so that even after our exit, our children would reap the benefits.
“How we see it is, if these bills scale through, we will not be able to even pay salaries. And if we paid, it won’t be sustainable the following year.”
Asked whether the bills would further exacerbate hunger and poverty in the north, Zulu said: “Including security. But they’re saying otherwise. We are against it, Lagos is against it; that it will drag it backwards. If this is the situation, then why won’t they rescind it? Our National Assembly members and even some from the Southern region are not in support of these bills.”
“This is our stand and doesn’t mean that we are against the government. We supported and voted for him (President Tinubu). But these bills will not mean good for us.
“There are rumours around but we are not certain. But you know we are in Nigeria! What I am saying is that let us all be patriotic. We have children, grandchildren and relatives who are in villages, therefore, we should be careful not to endorse anything that would impede the progress of the north and other regions. We are appealing to the President to listen to us and address our concerns,” he added.
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