Tax reform bills anti-north, threat to national unity – Bauchi Gov, Mohammed

• He opined that the reforms were designed to benefit certain regions of the country while the north is left clutching at the short end of the stick.

Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, has voiced his opposition to the tax reform bills of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

He said the policies could spell doom for Nigeria as it undermines national cohesion because many of its provisions put northern Nigeria at great disadvantage.

He opined that the reforms were designed to benefit certain regions of the country while the north is left clutching at the short end of the stick.

Governor Mohammed criticised the reform on Wednesday when he hosted the Christian community in Bauchi State who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House as part of their annual Christmas homage.

The governor implored the Federal Government to review its policies to ensure they reflect the interests of all Nigerians.

He stated: “We are facing serious wahala in this country. Hunger is everywhere, and the masses are suffering. This tax reform is not only anti-North but also a threat to the unity of our country.

“The government must listen to the people. This is a democracy, not a dictatorship or an oligarchy. Policies should never be imposed on the people without considering their welfare.”

He warned that the Federal Government’s approach could destabilise the country, adding that ignoring the yearnings of the people was a recipe for chaos.

He noted that governors won’t meet its obligations to the people if their source of revenue was taken away.

“If you ignore the cries of the people, you are inviting anarchy. These reforms are not helping northern Nigeria. How do you expect us to pay salaries and build roads when you are taking away our revenue sources? This is unacceptable,” he added.

Mohammed emphasised that leadership requires listening and sensitivity to the needs of the masses.

“No leader should feel too proud or arrogant to admit when a policy is not working. If something is not popular with the people, change it. This is not about religion or tribe; it is about fairness, justice, and the unity of Nigeria,” he said.