The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has expressed robust considerations over the proposed tax reform invoice, warning that it might have devastating penalties for the northern area and different elements of the nation.
In an interview with BBC Hausa on Friday, Zulum criticised the velocity with which the invoice had progressed by means of the legislative course of, drawing comparisons to the Petroleum Business Invoice, which took almost twenty years to be handed.
Zulum mentioned, “Why the frenzy? The Petroleum Business Invoice took nearly 20 years earlier than it was lastly handed. However this tax reform invoice is being transmitted and receiving legislative consideration inside every week. It ought to be handled fastidiously and with warning in order that even after our exit, our kids will reap its advantages.
“We condemn these payments despatched to the Nationwide Meeting. They may drag the North backwards and in addition have an effect on the South East, and a few South-Western states like Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo.
“This isn’t opposition. Based mostly on our understanding, this invoice will destroy the North completely. We name on President Tinubu to evaluation this choice. He secured 60 per cent of his votes from the North. He shouldn’t take heed to these telling him the North just isn’t supporting him. What we’d like is the withdrawal of those tax payments.”
The governor warned that if the invoice was handed, northern states would battle to implement developmental tasks, together with paying salaries.
Additionally commenting on the brand new tax invoice, the revered Falakin Shinkafi, Yunusa Hamza, expressed deep worries in regards to the invoice, stating that it has the potential to wreak havoc on the northern economic system.
In accordance with Hamza in a information message obtained by Saturday PUNCH, “the invoice, if handed into regulation, will solely serve to cripple the economies of northern states, favouring just one or two southern states.
“As the controversy over the invoice continues, it stays to be seen whether or not the considerations of the plenty could be thought of. With this invoice when handed, the destiny of the northern economic system hangs within the steadiness.”