Why We Oppose Lower Taxes For Common Man -Zulum

It is no longer news that some governors are opposed to the law proposing lower taxes for common man, encapsulated in the Tax reform bills.

Recall The Eagle news media report on the matter yesterday, indicating that the bill which essence is to make the tax burden on the common man lesser, is stirring the hornet’s nest in the country.

The Senate passed the bills for second reading on Thursday despite rowdiness at plenary, raising hopes that the much anticipated relief for the masses of Nigerians may afterall be on the way.

However, many state governors are already uncomfortable about the so-called lower taxes for common man, stating that it would leave funding repercussions for them.

Borno State governor Babagana Umara Zulum , while criticising the tax reform bills, said it would drag the northern part of the country backward.

He told BBC Hausa service: “We condemn these bills transmitted to the National Assembly. They will drag the north backward, and not only the north, South East, South West and some states in the South West such as Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, will have problem with these bills.

“It is not opposition. This, based on our understanding, is something that will destroy the north in its entirety. Therefore, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and others to review this decision.

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“He secured 60% of his votes in the north. He should not listen to those telling him that northerners are not supporting him. If our interest is served, that is all. What we need now is the withdrawal of the tax bills.

“Why all the rush! There’s a petroleum bill that was presented but it took almost 20 years before it was finally passed. But this one was transmitted and now receiving legislative attention within a week.

“What we are saying is that, let it be treated carefully and with caution so that even after our exit, our children would reap the benefits.

“How we see it is, if these bills scale through, we will not be able to even pay salaries. And if we paid, it won’t be sustainable the following year.”

“We are against it, Lagos is against it; that it will drag it backwards. If this is the situation, then why won’t they rescind it? Our National Assembly members and even some from the Southern region are not in support of these bills”, Zulum said.

According to the governor, it was not just an opposition to lower taxes for common man, nor a pointer of any opposition against the government, but the ability of states, especially in the north to pay.

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“This is our stand and doesn’t mean that we are against the government. We supported and voted for him (President Tinubu). But these bills will not mean good for us.”

President Bola Tinubu had in October sent four tax bills – comprising the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024 and Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024.

When the bills were initially introduced, the northern governors rejected them, describing them as anti-democratic.