Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has raised alarm over the potential repercussions of the proposed tax reform bills, warning they could devastate the northern region and other parts of Nigeria.
The bills, introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in September, have been met with widespread opposition, particularly from northern stakeholders, including governors, traditional rulers, and the Northern Elders Forum, who have called for their immediate withdrawal.
Despite these protests, the Senate passed the bills for a second reading on Thursday, sparking heated debates during the plenary.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa service, Governor Zulum expressed his frustration with the rapid legislative process surrounding the bills, contrasting it with the protracted timeline of other legislation.
“We condemn these bills transmitted to the National Assembly. They will drag the north backward, and not only the north, South East, South West, and some states in the South West such as Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, will have problem with these bills,” Zulum stated.
The governor further appealed to President Tinubu, who garnered significant support from the north during the last election, to reconsider the proposed laws.
“How we see it is, if these bills scale through, we will not be able to even pay salaries. And if we paid, it won’t be sustainable the following year,” he warned, adding that the bills could deepen poverty, hunger, and insecurity in the region.
Zulum dismissed allegations of opposition to the Tinubu administration, asserting his stance was rooted in patriotism and a commitment to the well-being of future generations.
“This is our stand and doesn’t mean that we are against the government. We supported and voted for him (President Tinubu). But these bills will not mean good for us,” he clarified.
He urged legislators and policymakers to approach the issue with caution, emphasizing the need for decisions that would ensure long-term benefits for all regions of the country.
“What I am saying is that let us all be patriotic. We have children, grandchildren, and relatives who are in villages, therefore, we should be careful not to endorse anything that would impede the progress of the north and other regions,” Zulum concluded.
