Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has expressed concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills, stating that only Lagos and Rivers states stand to benefit from the legislation. Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Zulum cited research conducted by northern governors to support his position.
Northern Governors’ Position
Governor Zulum revealed that the northern governors advised President Tinubu to delay the tax reforms, arguing that the provisions would disadvantage northern states.
“Based on our calculations, only Lagos and Rivers states will benefit from this scheme. We conducted our research and concluded that northern states would lose under the proposed arrangement,” Zulum stated.
He emphasized the need for a more inclusive approach, urging the Federal Government to pause and re-examine the controversial clauses.
“Why the rush? We asked for more time to conduct deeper consultations and fully understand the implications of this tax regime before enacting it into law,” he added.
Details of the Reform Bills
President Tinubu submitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly in October:
The Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB.583)
The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB.584)
The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024 (SB.585)
The Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024 (SB.586)
On November 28, the bills passed a second reading in the Senate.
Northern Governors’ Concerns
Zulum warned that if the bills become law, states across the country, except Lagos and Rivers, would be shortchanged. He explained that the northern governors are not opposed to Tinubu’s administration but are advocating for policies that ensure equitable distribution of resources.
Support for Tinubu’s Presidency
The governor rejected narratives suggesting northern opposition to President Tinubu’s administration. He recalled his early support for Tinubu’s presidential ambition, highlighting his advocacy for power rotation to the South before the 2023 elections.
“I was among the first governors to openly support Tinubu and advocate for power to shift to the South. Over 60% of the President’s votes in the 2023 elections came from the North,” Zulum said.
A Call for Inclusive Governance
Zulum described the northern governors’ stance as a democratic plea for broader consultations on critical national policies.
“Consultation is central to democracy. All we are asking for is the right to be consulted. This is the foundation of our concerns,” he concluded.
The tax reform debate continues as stakeholders await further legislative deliberations and the potential adjustments to the bills.
