Bauchi Governor: Tax Reform Bills Favour One Section of Nigeria, Shortchange North

•Says state voted for Tinubu and he must listen to them  

•Warns president will see real colour of north if situation persists

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has reechoed his concerns over the federal government’s tax reform bills, insisting they are designed to favour a section of the country and short-change the north.

Mohammed claimed that since Bauchi voted for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general election, he must listen to them. He added that the reforms could lead to economic setbacks, particularly, in northern Nigeria.

The governor also declared that the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria (SCIAN) had not been fair to him over published comments on the creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom and siting of the headquarters in Tafawa Balewa town.

Mohammed spoke while addressing members of the Christian community, who paid him a Christmas homage at Government House, Bauchi. He urged the federal government to re-evaluate its economic policies in the light of the increasing hardship faced by Nigerians.

The chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum emphasised the need for leadership that prioritised the well-being of citizens, and challenged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to implement people-centred policies.

A visibly angry Mohammed berated the policies introduced by the administration of Tinubu, especially the tax reform bills, describing them as “anti-northern Nigeria”.

According to him, “The tax reforms bills are aimed at favouring just a section of the country and aimed at short-changing northern Nigeria. We voted the presidency in this state and other states, they must listen to us.

“They must not come up with policies that favour only one section of the country or even one state in the country. It is not about religion, it is not about tribe, it is about national unity, it is about national hegemony and this is what we are all about – good leadership.

“We will continue to be loyal for the time being, if the situation persists, they will see our real colour, we are going to fight for it.”

The governor called on the president and his team to listen to the people over whatever policies they brought, saying they should change such policies when there are complaints.

He stressed that no policy should be imposed on the people because Nigeria does not operate an oligarchic system of government or a military rule.

Mohammed told the Christian community, “I call on you to pray for Nigeria and pray for all the leaders of Nigeria, including my humble self, because Nigeria needs prayers. We are facing difficulties. There is a lot of wahala, there is a lot of hunger, and it is something that we have to pray for God to obliterate. We have to say it but, certainly, we are not insulting anybody.

“We are calling on the presidency and the federal government to change their style. Whenever a policy is not popular, they should listen to the people, they should not be arrogant and think that whatever we bring must be.

“This is not an oligarchy, this is not a military rule, they must listen to the people and that is what makes a good leader. And we pledge to be loyal to them, but anything they are doing contrary to that, they are calling for anarchy.

“They are calling for intransigence and it is unacceptable. There is a lot of wahala.”

The Bauchi State governor added, We must work together across the party lines, across the tiers of government to provide succour and solace to the Nigerian people.

“It is not about pride or ego, we must be able to do things that people will be assisted because whatever it is, the situation was not like this before. If the situation was bad before I came, tell me! And I must change and that is why the presidency must listen to the cries about the tax reform.

“It is not a good policy for northern Nigeria because we are not going to get money to pay you salaries, to do roads. They must listen, otherwise, they are calling for anarchy. And that is not good.”

Mohammed insisted, “We are not afraid of them, even if it’s the president, we are not afraid of them, except that we only show respect. Whether it is traditional institution, or it is the federal government, or it is the president, honestly, we are not afraid of them, but we can only show our obedience and respect to leadership. But we will not allow anyone to denigrate us.

“People are suffering and are hungry. They need to look at their leadership style. Leadership is listening to the people and being sensitive to their feelings. Leadership is doing what the people want.

But I appeal to you (Nigerians) that since we’ve endured to this point, we should continue to be more patient because living in peace is what we need.

“We should continue to pray for the president and his government that God will make them listen. May God make them change their minds and policies in a way that will be beneficial to all Nigerians, in a way that will drive away hunger, the insults, insecurity and all the things they want to bring what will cause division among Nigerians.”

Earlier, during the Christian community’s courtesy visit, at the Exco Chamber of Government House, Mohammed declared that the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria had been unfair to him over published comments on the creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom and siting of the headquarters in Tafawa Balewa town.

The governor, who was unhappy with the recent statement credited to SCIAN, stated, “We have been working hard to make sure that Bauchi remains peaceful and without your cooperation, there won’t be peace. Even the sense of actualisation of the siting and creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom, you continue to give me the benefit of the doubt, I most sincerely appreciate it.

“Recently, we have made a giant leap towards actualising the chiefdom, we formed so many committees, had community engagement, stakeholders’ engagement to ensure that some of the thorny issues of the process, selection, headquarters sitting and so on were resolved.”

He, however, said, “But still, there are contentious issues based on suspicion and mistrust, which are manifestation of the agitation. We will work to ensure that all issues are tackled.”