The recent tax reform bill presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sparked widespread controversy, prompting Northerners to vehemently reject the bill. Northern Governors, Religious leaders, Community leaders, and the Northern Elders Forum have cautioned President Tinubu about the proposed bill, describing it as egocentric and regional favoritism.
Northerners are known for their kindness and love for inclusiveness. MKO Abiola won the election in Kano, defeating Bashir Tofa, who was born in Kano State.This history repeated itself during the 2023 Presidential elections, where Tinubu won the majority of Northern States. Many social media operators in Yorubaland praised Northerners, stating they are not betrayers, as they unitedly showed maturity in honoring the national tradition of power transformation between the North and South.
They came en masse and cast their votes for Tinubu, rejecting their own sons, Atiku Abubakar from Adamawa State and Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from Kano, who grew up in the North. This was done in hopes that Tinubu’s administration would yield positive outcomes for the nation. However, the president’s decision to introduce policies that would make the regions experience severe economic challenges raises questions. Didn’t Northerners deserve better from Tinubu ?
The recent controversy surrounding the tax reform bill has sparked intense debate, with experts warning of its negative consequences, particularly for the Northern people. Despite efforts to make the president reconsider, his statement during a media chat organized by the Presidency media team has left many concerned citizens worried. His assertion that “the tax reform is here to stay” has been met with criticism from opposition parties, who deem it insensitive.
The big question on many Northerners minds is: who will be held accountable if the bill is implemented? Will it be President Tinubu or the Northern National Assembly? The answer lies in the country system of governance. Although experts and stakeholders have warned the president that the bill will favor some states over others, he insisted that “the bill is here to stay.”
It’s essential to note that Northerners are the majority in both the Upper and Lower Chambers. Even the president cannot change the decisions taken by the National Assembly. The National Assembly has the constitutional power to reject any bill that contradicts the peoples expectations for positive outcomes.
During General Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, he sent Ibrahim Magu’s name to the National Assembly for confirmation as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) multiple times, but the National Assembly rejected his appointment. Similarly, President Tinubu sent the former Governor of Kaduna States name as a minister, but lawmakers rejected him, forcing the president to drop him and replace him with another person.
If the National Assembly can reject the appointments of El-Rufai as Minister and Magu as EFCC boss, why can’t they save the North from this tax reform? The commendable efforts of Senator Ali Ndume, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State and Professor Babagana Umra Zulum of Borno State, NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero,and Governor of Bauchi State Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed in calling on the president to reconsider the withdrawal of the bill are notable.Though the aforementioned individuals strongly rejected the tex reform the national assembly in the northern state have a big roles to Play in this controversy.
In conclusion, it’s high time for President Tinubu to remember the kind solidarity and sacrifices the Northern region demonstrated during the general elections by suspending the recent Tax Reform Bill, which most people believe will harm the Northern region that brought you to where you’re today as President of Nigeria.
Sale Rusulana Yanguruza Wrote from Department Of Mass Communication Borno State University.
