Again, Kano Insists On Withdrawal Of  Tax Reforms Bills

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State Government has described as ill-timed, lopsided and generally detrimental to the over all interests of Nigerians, particularly the Northern part of the country, the Federal Government’s proposed Tax Reforms Bills.

The Source reports that the Federal Government had tabled before the National Assembly a set of Tax Reforms Bills which it believes can potentially  move the economy forward.

But the proposed tax legislation has been greeted with stringent opposition, especially from the Northern part of Nigeria, which is seeing in the exercise a receipt for a further economic marginalization

During a New Year celebration on Wednesday, January,1, 2025, at the open air theatre in Kofar Niasa, Kano State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, reinstated the State’s opposition to the tax reforms bill.

Represented at the event by his Deputy, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, the Governor insisted that the proposed piece of  legislation in its current form is completely inimical to the welfare of  Kano, Northern Nigeria, and the country as a whole.

A statement issued by the Deputy Governor’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Shuaibu, indicated that the State stands firmly against the Tax Reforms Bill.

” This Tax Reforms Bill is not the solution to our economic challenges. Kano State stands firmly against any policy that negatively affects the welfare of our people.

The proposed tax reform is ill-timed, lopsided and inimical to the unity of the country.

“Nigerians in general, and the North in particular, are groaning under hyper- inflation and unprecedented insecurity, therefore, the Presidency should rather concentrate its time and attention to tackling extreme poverty and hunger especially in the northern part of the country”,  the Kano state Government noted.

Its position is coming very closely on the heels of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohamed’s scathing attack of both the tax policy and President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

At a meeting with the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, at the Government House on December 26, 2024, Governor Mohammed insisted that President Tinubu withdraws the controversial bill in deference to the sensitivities of the North.

He, however, warned that the region equally has what it takes to resist any attempt at imposing the legislation on it.

His position has since drawn flaks from the Presidency which  asked the Governor to retract what it considers a veiled threat on President Tinubu by the Bauchi Governor.

But the Governor has remained adamant, insisting that the bill be withdrawn.

Before the present exchange of words, the region had, through the Northern Governors Forum, and Borno State  Governor Professor Babagana Zulum, voiced its opposition to the Tax Reforms proposal.