A non-governmental group, North Central Citizens Council (NCCC), has expressed strong support for Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed amid ongoing debates surrounding the Tax Reform Bills.
The group, in a press release issued on Tuesday, backed Bala Mohammed’s call for the withdrawal of the bill, citing its potential negative impact on northern Nigeria,
In a statement signed by the group’s Coordinator, Comrade Mohammed Eneji, the NCCC emphasized that the governor’s remarks reflect the sentiments of the average northerner, even as he warned against threats on the governor.
“The statement was neither confrontational nor controversial. It clearly speaks the minds of northern Nigerians, especially those in the North Central zone. The economy is already in disarray, and northerners are bearing the brunt of many anti-people policies under President Tinubu’s administration,” the statement read.
The group described the proposed tax reforms as harmful to citizens, arguing that the government’s borrowing habits have yielded little visible progress.
“We hereby show our solidarity and support to His Excellency , Governor Bala from the North Central Zone.These tax reforms are anti-people. The government cannot continue to borrow with nothing to show. This is the position of our council.
“Governor Bala has the right to speak for his people as a Governor who forms a subnational under the Tinubu led government, as such deserves to be heard. Instead of Sunday Dare calling Governor Bala ‘s comments as a threat, the government should rather listen to the voice of reasoning which is the voice of the general North
“We from the North Central Zone advise the Presidency to heed to the warning of the Governor as frustration continues to mount of average citizens due to the current harsh economic situation, the North may be forced to withdraw their support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if policies such as the Tax Reform Bills which is directly targeted on further plunging the region into abject poverty and under development sees the light of the day.
“We are going to canvas the entire region starting from our zone against Tinubu in the next election if these kinds of shenanigans continue.
” This government has no empathy for the common man. These draconic policies will help the country as it will continue to enrich Lagos and other very few states, no state in the North Central stands a chance of benefiting from the proceeds of these bills, as such we are totally against the Tax Reform Bills.”
The north central group called on President Tinubu to put in place several measures in the region before he can bring the issue of tax reform to the front burner.
” Provide us with adequate security for our farmers to assess their farmlands. This will boost agriculture and provide food for the citizens and for export.
” Revive the Ajaokuta Steel company to full capacity, develop other Solid mineral resources in the entire northern region
” Open all our land borders so that the region can be open for business again. Develop all our sea and dry ports and so on.
If all of the above is put into consideration, then the region may be ready to accept any form of reform about our tax system and the government will be seen as being just to all regions in Nigeria,” Comrade Mohammed added.
