Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has publicly defended Northern governors’ resistance to specific aspects of President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bill, underscoring their continued support for Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking on Channels Television, Governor Sule clarified that the Northern Governors’ Forum’s opposition stems not from a lack of support for the president but from concerns about the bill’s Value Added Tax (VAT) allocation structure.
“We cannot bring President Tinubu as a president… and then turn around and be against him,” Sule asserted, highlighting Northern states’ crucial role in Tinubu’s election.
He explained that the governor focuses on the potential impact of VAT distribution changes on Northern regions, not on rejecting the reform’s broader objectives.
The tax reform bill, presented to the National Assembly on October 3, proposes substantial revisions to Nigeria’s revenue structure.
Key elements include renaming the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and exempting VAT on oil and gas exports and humanitarian projects.
However, the Northern Governors’ Forum, led by Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa, has voiced concerns about the VAT-sharing formula, fearing it may financially disadvantage Northern states.
Governor Sule clarified the governors’ stance, saying, “We picked an item in that bill, and that item is concerning VAT; nobody is against anything… We are talking about the sharing formula of the VAT.”
He emphasised the need for an equitable distribution model that accounts for regional demands and economic disparities.
During a recent gathering in Kaduna, Northern governors and traditional rulers urged the National Assembly to scrutinise the bill, warning against any reforms that could harm the region’s socio-economic stability.
In a joint communiqué, they called on lawmakers to “oppose any bill that can jeopardise the well-being of our people,” affirming their commitment to ensuring policies that safeguard Northern interests while still supporting Tinubu’s overall administration.
