By Tonia Okereke
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to drop the idea of the tax reform bills.
Bala made the call on Thursday when he received the Christian community in Bauchi State, saying the President was courting anarchy with the bills.
He said: “To the tax reforms, it is not a good policy for northern Nigeria because we are not going to get money to pay you salaries.
“To the tax reforms, it is not a good policy for northern Nigeria because we are not going to get money to pay you salaries.
“It is not about religion. It is not about tribe. It is about national unity. It is about national hegemony.
“We are all about good leadership, and we will continue to urge them for the time being, but if the situation persists, they will see our real colour. We are going to fight for it.”
—-President Tinubu’s Adamant Stand On Tax Reform Bills
President Tinubu had said on Monday, during his inaugural media chat, that the tax reform bills will not be withdrawn. He described the current tax laws as outdated.
He said: “Tax reform is here to stay. We cannot just continue to do what we do in yesteryears in today’s economy.
“The reform is pro-poor and it is to widen the tax net, so we can have more people paying.
“The hallmark of a good leader is the ability to do what you have to do at the time it ought to be done.”
When asked about his plans to manage the pushback from the Northern leaders, especially over proposed changes in sharing of Value Added Tax (VAT) following the introduction of the tax reform bills, he said “Tax matters are subject of debate, and negotiations until you reach concessions. I don’t mind cutting edges. I will.”
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