You Must Avoid Arrogance On Tax Reform Bills, Listen To Northerners’ Concern, Nigeria Not Under Military Rule — Gov Bala Knocks Tinubu
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has advised President Bola Tinubu to listen to the concerns of Nigerians regarding the proposed tax reform bills, noting that the country is not under a military regime.
Governor Mohammed’s statement comes amid growing controversy over the tax reform bills, which have been met with widespread criticism from northerners.
The governor emphasised the importance of President Tinubu being receptive to the views and opinions of Nigerians.
He said that Tinubu should stop being arrogant and egoistic, explaining the need to accommodate diverse perspectives and opinions.
The governor alleged that the tax reforms bills are targeted at earning more revenues for the southern region at the expense of northern states.
He said: “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’ (problems), 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 are a lot of wahala, 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 with because whatever it is, the situation was not like this before,” he said.
“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 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.”
