Tax Reforms Bills: “Withdraw Your Threat”, Presidency, Urges Bauchi Government

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Presidency, on Monday December 30, 2024, strongly rejected Governor Bala  Mohammed’s  strong negative position on the controversial tax reforms bills

This is even as it called on the Bauchi State Governor to urgently retract his inflammatory and vexatious comments on the proposed legislation.

The Source reports that the Governor had, on Tuesday, December 26, 2024, while addressing the Christian community on a Christmas visit to the Bauchi Government House, berated not just the tax reforms bills, but President Bola Tinubu over his seemingly arrogant disposition towards  the issue .

He called on the President to respect the feelings and positions of the North who are not comfortable with the tax reforms proposal .

He warned that the Region may be forced to confront the President, head- on, should he continue to push for the passage of the bills, presently before the National Assembly.

The North has insisted that the proposed piece of tax legislation is not in its economic interests, and has so far mounted unrelenting campaign against its passage.

But in a statement on Monday, Presidential Adviser on Public Communication, Sunday Dare, faulted the position of Governor Mohammed who is also the Chairman of the Forum of Peoples  Democratic Party, PDP, Governors in the country

He insisted that the position does not, in any way, reflect the true position of the majority of the Northerners ,as regards the tax reforms bill .

Writing on his official site the Presidential Aide, urged the Bauchi Governor to  cease threatening the President with anarchy .

“I urge him ( Governor Mohammed) to retract these confrontational remarks and redirect his focus towards productive dialogue with the FG regarding any concerns about the Tax Reforms Bill.

:This unfortunate statement does not represent the collective voice of Northern Nigeria.

“The North, like other regions, seeks collaborative governance and constructive engagement with the Federal Government to address our nation’s challenges.

“Rather than issuing threats, his energy might be better directed towards implementing effective poverty alleviation programmes and ensuring transparent utilization of these Federal resources (N144 billion received from FG) .

“The Tax Reforms Bill and increased Federal Allocations significantly benefit the states.”

“His statement, ‘we will show President Tinubu our true colour’ is particularly concerning and does not reflect the constructive dialogue needed between the state and FG .

“It bears noting that Bauchi state has received N144 billion (State and LGA ) in Federal Allocations under the current administration- a significant increase from previous disbursements .

“Yet his State continues to grapple with serious developmental challenges and high poverty rates

“As a State Governor, he is called to exemplify statesmanship and work towards national cohesion”, the Presidential Aide noted.

Dare ,also emphasized the expected gains ,Bauchi and others states stand to reap from the proposed tax reforms bills ..

According to him, the bill, if passed has the potentials to alleviate most of the burdens on the State’s small and medium scale enterprises which in turn will boost economic growth and development.

The Presidential aide, therefore, urged Governor Mohammed and others to rather build bridges of understanding and cooperation instead of unnecessary confrontations .

“The path forward lies not in confrontation ,but in collaboration, not in threats, but in thoughtful engagement and certainly not in divisive statements ,but in unified action towards our shared goals of development and progress.

“This is the true leadership Nigeria needs – one that builds  bridges ,not barriers, and prioritizes the collective good over individual or regional interests” Dare wrote .