Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Sunday, expressed concerns that the proposed tax reform bills would disproportionately benefit Lagos State, leaving other states, particularly those in the North, at a disadvantage.
In an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, Governor Zulum clarified that his objections to the bills were not a form of opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, but rather a call for more thorough consultations before implementation. Zulum emphasized his continued support for President Tinubu, highlighting the significant backing the president received from the North during the election, with 60.2% of his votes coming from the region.
During the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, Zulum stated that the governors had urged the federal government to delay the implementation of the tax reforms in order to allow for broader stakeholder consultations.
He argued that there were misconceptions surrounding the tax issue and stressed that it was not about opposing the president, but about seeking the right to be consulted.
Zulum further expressed concern about the economic consequences for states outside Lagos, particularly in the Southeast, South-South, and parts of the Southwest, which might face negative impacts from the tax reforms. According to his analysis, only Lagos would benefit from the changes, with other regions potentially bearing the brunt of the impact.
“Based on calculations, only Lagos will benefit. Why the rush? Let’s pause and analyze these bills thoroughly. This is our contention, not an attack on the president,” Zulum explained.
The governor also pointed out that even officials in Lagos had reservations about the reform bills, acknowledging potential revenue losses. He reiterated the need for more comprehensive discussions to ensure that the tax reforms would bring equitable benefits to all states.
In response to Zulum’s comments, the presidency dismissed his claims. Tope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, took to social media to counter Zulum’s statements, claiming the governor was spreading misinformation. Ajayi denied that the tax reform bills included provisions to scrap TETFUND, NASENI, and NITDA by 2029, as suggested by Zulum in his television interview.
Additionally, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar weighed in on the issue, calling for a fiscal system that promotes justice, fairness, and equity. Atiku, in a post on his official X handle, stressed the importance of transparency in the ongoing discussions and urged the National Assembly to make public the resolutions of the NEC on the bills. He echoed concerns about the potential for uneven development, calling for an inclusive and open public hearing process.
