Tinubu’s Tax Reforms Will Choke Nigerians More – Gov Bala Warns

• Says worrying economic setbacks are imminent
• Canvasses policy reassessment by FG

BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has cautioned that the current tax reforms policy proposed by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government will not only strangulate more Nigerians but also breed economic setbacks, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

According to him, it is unfortunate that the Tax Reform Bills are meant to favour just a section of the country while ultimately shortchanging northern Nigeria.

Therefore, he is urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his team to readily listen to the people’s views on whatever policies they are bringing on board and should be willing to change or abandon such proposal(s) when there are serious concerns in the overall interest of the people and the country.

Governor Bala, who was addressing members of the Christian community in Bauchi state during their Christmas homage to the Government House in Bauchi, urged the Federal Government to re-evaluate its economic policies in light of the increasing hardships faced by Nigerians.

Stressing that no policy should be imposed on the people because Nigeria does not operate an oligarchy system of government or a military rule, Governor Bala Mohammed said; “We are calling on the presidency and the Federal Government to change their style. Whenever a policy is not popular, they should listen to the people. They should not be arrogant and think that whatever we bring must be. This is not an oligarchy, this is not military rule. They must listen to the people, and that is what makes a good leader.

“And we pledge to be loyal to them but anything they are doing contrary to that, they are calling for anarchy, they are calling for intransigence and it is unacceptable. There is a lot of wahala, we must work together across the party lines, and across the tiers of government to provide succour and solace to the Nigerian people

“It is not about pride or ego, we must be able to do things that people will be assisted with because whatever it is, the situation was not like this before. If the situation was bad before I came, tell me! And I must change and that is why the Presidency must listen to the cries about the tax reform.

“It is not a good policy for Northern Nigeria, because we are not going to get money to pay you salaries, to do roads. They must listen, otherwise, they are calling for anarchy. And that is not good.”

“We voted for the presidency in this State and other states, they must listen to us. They must not come up with policies that favour only one section of the country or even one state in the country. It is not about religion, it is not about tribe, it is about national unity, it is about national hegemony and this is what we are all about, good leadership.”

Cautioning the APC-led government to refrain from making life more difficult for ordinary citizens, Governor Bala said; “We will continue to be loyal for the time being, if the situation persists, they will see our real colour, we are going to fight for it.

“We are not afraid of them, even if it’s the President, we are not afraid of them, except that we only show respect. Whether it is a traditional institution, or it is the Federal Government or it is the President, honestly, we are not afraid of them but we can only show our obedience and respect to leadership. But we will not allow anyone to denigrate us.

“People are suffering and are hungry. They need to look at their leadership style. Leadership is listening to the people and being sensitive to their feelings, leadership is doing what the people want. But I appeal to you (Nigerians) that since we’ve endured to this point, we should continue to be more patient because living in peace is what we need.”

The Governor urged his August guests not to lose hope but to continue praying for a better country in the tears ahead, saying; “I call on you to pray for Nigeria and pray for all the leaders of Nigeria including my humble self because Nigeria needs prayers. We are facing difficulties. There is a lot of wahala, there is a lot of hunger and it is something that we have to pray for God to obliterate. We have to say it but certainly, we are not insulting anybody.

“We should continue to pray for the President and his government that God will make them listen, may God make them change their minds and policies in a way that will be beneficial to all Nigerians, in a way that will drive away hunger, the insults, insecurity and all the things they want to bring that will cause division among Nigerians.”

He expressed appreciation to the Christian Community in Bauchi State for the support they’ve always been giving him throughout his sojourn in politics, saying that whatever he does for them is only a reciprocation of what they’ve been doing for him for decades.

Appreciating the people for their support, Governor Bala said; “I wish to thank the Christians for their support over the years, especially for my dear party, the PDP and my humble self. Even when I was in ANPP, the Christians helped me and voted for me and they believed in me despite my limitations and inadequacies. I really appreciate your support all through this difficult time when we came back for the second term.

“Whatever we are doing that you are appreciating, we are appreciating more because it is something that you deserve, it is something that you earned and it is something that befits you because you are all my brothers and sisters.

“I am a special breed of person, most of you are my blood brothers and sisters and most of you are my tribesmen, we came from the same source, and we only believe differently. My wife has said it all, you are free to practice your religion, I am free to practice my own – there is no compulsion in religion, so it should not be a dividing factor.

“And you have demonstrated this, you have shown support, you have shown appreciation, you have shown humility, especially the Chairman of CAN and his executive members. The little things we are doing are appreciated, that will give us a lot of encouragement.”

“Our Christian brothers and sisters, we are grateful for the support and cooperation that you keep giving us and our government, we will continue to be just and fair to you and everyone. And whatever we do, we don’t do it so that you praise us, we do it because it is compulsory for us and it is our training in leadership.”

On his future political career, the Bauchi Chief Executive said; “People are calling on me to contest for the President of Nigeria, I am not the only person in Nigeria. The people of Bauchi have done everything for me, they gave birth to me, educated me, I went and worked in Lagos, I became a Director at the federal level, I then became a Senator, I served as Minister, now I am a governor for the second term. Even if God allows me like this, I am contented and grateful and whatever this I will get again is just an addition to me.”

“But for your sake, I can lay down my life, for the sake of my people, I can confront anybody. We are just quiet because peaceful coexistence is more than anything else”.

Emphasizing the need for leadership that prioritizes the well-being of citizens, he challenged the ruling APC to implement people-centered policies that will put food on the table and effectively address the current hardship in the country.

Governor Bala congratulated the Christian community on the occasion of this year’s Christmas and the peaceful celebration, urging the people to uphold the spirit of unity and love during the festive season.

In his remarks, the Bauchi State Chairman, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Abraham Damina, who led the delegation to the Government House as part of activities marking this year’s Christmas celebrations, expressed gratitude for the State Government’s support in ensuring a successful commemoration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reverend Damina lauded the Governor for fostering inclusivity and extending a hand of fellowship to Christian communities across Bauchi state since his assumption of office.

Highlights of the event included goodwill messages, songs, praises, and entertaining deliveries from government officials and religious leaders, which underscored the spirit of togetherness during the Yuletide season.