- Says He’ll Live With The Noise
Amid growing opposition, President Bola Tinubu has initiated efforts to engage the northern elite, seeking their support for the passage of tax reform bills. According to sources from the Presidency, Tinubu is using various channels to address concerns surrounding the bills and ensure smoother deliberations.
Despite these overtures, northern governors remain steadfast in their opposition. They have urged the withdrawal of the bills for further consultation, citing concerns over potential adverse effects on the region. Introduced in October 2024, the bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
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The Northern Governors Forum immediately rejected the proposed reforms, particularly the VAT distribution model, which they argue disadvantages the region. A communiqué issued on October 28 described the changes as detrimental, explaining that the derivation-based VAT model favors states where goods and services are consumed and where companies are headquartered, leaving the North at a disadvantage.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State criticized the bills as biased and warned of potential backlash from the northern region. Similarly, governors Babagana Zulum of Borno State and Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State reaffirmed their opposition, stating that the reforms fail to consider the economic realities and welfare of the North.
Various stakeholders, including the Deputy National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, have called on the President to halt the reform process for broader consultations. They argue that pushing through the reforms without adequate engagement could exacerbate existing economic challenges faced by Nigerians, particularly in the North.
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Southern lawmakers, however, have countered calls for the bills’ withdrawal, advocating for their progression through the legislative process. They argue that concerns can be addressed during debates and public hearings, ensuring that critical reforms are not unnecessarily delayed.
Tinubu dismissed the governors’ opposition to his administration’s policies, reaffirming his dedication to tackling Nigeria’s challenges and driving forward reforms.
Speaking on Saturday while on a one-day official visit to Enugu State the president said, “I inherited some of these critical problems and I’m going to do it. I’m lucky I have good governors, though some may be angry with me locally, but we just have to push. Yorubas will say, ‘The pig will get to the slaughter but there will be a lot of noise,’.. I’ll live with the noise.”
The President also said he would not allow the negative comments against his administration to deter him from his mission to rebuild Nigeria.
President Tinubu, during a media engagement, expressed his commitment to the reforms, emphasizing their necessity for modernizing Nigeria’s economy. While acknowledging opposition from some governors, he stated his resolve to address the nation’s challenges, urging unity and resilience in rebuilding the country.
The debate over the tax reform bills highlights deep regional and political divides, underscoring the complexity of implementing sweeping economic reforms in a diverse nation like Nigeria.
