Tinubu’s Tax Reforms Favor Only Lagos and Rivers States – Zulum

Governor Zulum critiques Tinubu’s tax reforms, claiming they primarily benefit Lagos and Rivers states, raising concerns about fairness and inclusivity across Nigeria.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has claimed that the benefits of President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills are likely to be limited to only Lagos and Rivers states.

Appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the governor stated that the position was founded on research and calculations conducted by northern governors.

He also clarified why the northern governors recommended that President Tinubu delay advancing the controversial bills.

“There are numerous misconceptions regarding the tax issue,” Zulum stated. “We examined the VAT provision in the law, and based on our calculations, only Lagos and Rivers States will gain from this scheme. After conducting our own research, we concluded that it would result in a loss for us.”

“Why are we in such a hurry? We recommended that the Federal Government take a break and remove some clauses that could harm Northern Nigeria.”

We are requesting additional time to conduct a thorough consultation and better understand the details of this tax regime before it is enacted into law.

Zulum clarified that if the bill passes through the National Assembly, it would disadvantage other states, with only Lagos State benefiting significantly from the policy.

In October, President Tinubu requested the National Assembly to approve and enact the bills into law.

The proposed legislation includes the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024 – SB.583; the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024 – SB.584; the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024 – SB.585; and the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024 – SB.586.

However, on November 28, the tax reform bills successfully passed a second reading in the Senate.

He contended that, despite insinuations from certain areas, the northern governors do not oppose President Tinubu’s administration.

Zulum remembered that prior to the 2023 general election, he was among the few governors who advocated for rotating power to the south.

The governor stated that, as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he supported Tinubu’s bid for the presidency.

He believes that the north cannot oppose Tinubu, as over 60 percent of his votes in the 2023 general elections were from this region.

He regretted that some individuals were spreading a negative narrative suggesting the north opposes Tinubu’s government.

I am a dedicated member of the APC. If you think back to two governors who supported Tinubu before 2019 and 2023, you’ll remember Governor Zulum as one of them. I was the first governor to publicly declare that power should shift to the South.

Regrettably, the President was informed by numerous sources that the North opposed him, despite receiving 60.2 percent of his votes from this region.

“However, over time, people have reversed its meaning. I urge you to recognize that our consultation is fundamental to democracy; in a democratic context, we are pleading for the right to be consulted. This is simply what has occurred,” he added.