Bauchi Governor, Bala Mohammed, has confirmed that his state is not on good terms with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing disagreements over key policies.
He also criticized the president for being stubborn and failing to listen to the concerns of the people, particularly regarding the ongoing tax reforms.
The Governor made these remarks during discussions National Chairman of the Ulama Council of JIBWIS, Fadilatu Ash-Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yahaya Jingir when the latter condoled with him over the passing of his stepmother, Hajja Aisha Mohammed at Ramat House, Government House, Bauchi.
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In a short Hausa video that has since gone viral on social media, Mohammed openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the proposed tax bill.
“We thank God for your life, and we’re grateful that you’re able to speak to them, as they will listen to you. By now, you must have heard about the issues between us and President Tinubu. It’s true, we are not on good terms with him, because our people, as well as the governors, are suffering.
“One of the main reasons for this is that he doesn’t listen to the people and fails to see that his harsh policies are creating problems, not just in the north, but across Nigeria. Take, for example, the tax reforms—they require careful consideration. A government can’t function without revenue, and if there are obstacles in generating that revenue, even the government itself won’t be able to operate.
“Here in the north, we recognize that we’ve neglected tax revenue. With oil revenue no longer coming in as it’s being used to service debt, continuing with the tax reforms could be disastrous for us.
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“I want you to know, it is not that we are scare or something, we only respect him because of the regard we have for you, Sheikh. We know you work for him, just as you did for us in Bauchi, Kano, and other places. Maybe if you speak to him, he will listen. Tell him this tax bill is unacceptable. If it is passed, none of us can serve our people effectively. Neither I nor my people are in support of it.”
The governor also expressed gratitude to Sheikh Jingir and his delegation for coming to condole with him over the passing of his stepmother.
Since the tax reforms bills was submited to the national assembly in October 2024, it has faced opposition from stakeholders in the north especially the northern governors forum.
The governors particularly rejected the proposed shift to a Derivation-based Model for Value Added Tax distribution.
They claim that the proposed model would be at the disadvantage of the northern states and other less industrial regions.
However, the federal government has insisted that the tax reforms bills are not against the northern part of the country.
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The maintained that the overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system was long overdue.
Speaking in Kaduna at a public lecture with the theme: ‘Tax Reform: The Role of Public Relations in Fostering Constructive Dialogue for National Economic Renaissance’, organised by the Kaduna State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in December 2024, The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris argued that the country’s tax administration system had become long overdue for reform, on account of design and implementation flaws as well as the general attitudes of taxpayers toward taxation.
“In my vision, we have something that the president is working on to turn things around. Let us support this. Let us also give our cooperation at all times.
“Of course, there are areas of misunderstanding or areas of concern. This is a democracy. I think the President, being a democrat himself, is always supportive of that kind of activity. But I think that we need to engage more and l hope that the synergy, as the president has said, will also help us in that direction. We want to say to all of you that because of the beginning of the new awakening that is going to happen, we will talk more and more, go on with more and more conversations, and engage for the benefit of our country,” Idris said.
The minister said the theme of discourse had brought to the fore the place of constructive dialogue as a vital pillar of democracy.
“The topic before us today is a sensitive yet important and inescapable one: taxation. It was the American statesman, Benjamin Franklin, who famously said that “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.”
“All over the world, effective taxation is important as a source of financial power for governments to provide social services for their citizens
“However, there are plenty of reasons to believe and assert that Nigeria’s tax administration system has become long overdue for reform, on account of design and implementation flaws as well as the general attitudes of taxpayers toward taxation,” Idris said.
The Senate has also set up a committee to to review the controversy in the Tax Reform Bills that are before the National Assembly.
The Committee which is headed by Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) will meet with the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to address grey areas in the bills and revert to Senate before public hearing.
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