Nasarawa Governor’s Shift On Tax Reform Wins Support, Sparks Debate

Abuja, Nigeria – The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule’s, recent change of stance on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills has ignited a political firestorm, with some groups praising his shift while others sharply criticise the ongoing debate surrounding the proposed legislation.

The Democratic Front (TDF), in a statement released yesterday, lauded Governor Sule’s decision to support the bills. The group, represented by Chairman Danjuma Mallam Muhammad and Secretary Chief Wale Adedayo, attributed the initial opposition from northern governors to a lack of understanding of the bills’ content.

They commended Governor Sule, also Chairman of the North Central Governors Forum, for his “remarkable show of maturity, understanding and statesmanship” in abandoning his prior opposition.

TDF urged other northern governors to follow suit, insisting the bills aim to create a progressive tax system beneficial to all Nigerians.

They further praised President Tinubu for fostering open dialogue and thanked the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform chairman, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, and FIRS Executive Chairman Zach Adedeji for their efforts in enlightening the public.

TDF explicitly denied claims that the bills would harm the economic interests of Northern Nigeria, arguing instead that they would exempt low-income earners and empower sub-national governments.

The group urged northern political and traditional leaders to support the bills, countering what they termed “political mischief” aimed at misleading the populace against the Tinubu administration.

However, this positive response is sharply contrasted by the reaction of the Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG).

In a strongly worded statement signed by Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG vehemently criticised Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed’s assertions that state governors are struggling under President Tinubu’s administration.

TMSG dismissed Governor Mohammed’s claims as “false” and “hysterical,” accusing him of using the tax reform as a scapegoat for his own perceived governance failures in Bauchi State.

The TMSG statement highlighted the significant increase in federal allocations to Bauchi State since President Tinubu took office, noting a substantial rise in the state budget from N167.2 billion in 2020 to a projected N467 billion in 2024. Despite this increase,

TMSG pointed to Bauchi’s poor performance across several key indicators, including a high rate of out-of-school children and a lack of foreign direct investment.

They challenged Governor Mohammed to account for the use of these increased funds and address the state’s significant multidimensional poverty rate (73.9%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics).

TMSG accused Governor Mohammed of prioritizing political manoeuvring over the welfare of his constituents and demanded clarity on his objections to the tax reform bills.

The contrasting statements reveal a deep divide in opinion regarding President Tinubu’s tax reform proposals.

While some see them as crucial for economic progress, others express serious concerns about their potential impact on state governments and the Nigerian population.

The debate is expected to intensify as the bills proceed through the National Assembly.