The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) has accused Northern governors of betraying the trust of their constituents, mismanaging public perception, and failing to adequately represent the region’s interests.
The Nigerian government’s proposed tax reform bill, championed by President Bola Tinubu, has sparked widespread debate, with prominent northern leaders warning of its potential to deepen regional inequalities.
Notable figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal have expressed concerns about the bill’s impact on the northern region, which is already grappling with economic challenges, poverty, and security issues.
Amid mounting pressure from Northern governors and 73 lawmakers from the region, the House of Representatives suspended further debate on the bill. However, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) later declared its support for the proposed legislation.
Following a meeting with the presidential tax reform committee, the NGF issued a statement backing an “equitable” VAT-sharing formula. They also recommended that TETFUND, NASENI, and NITDA remain part of the development levies’ sharing framework and supported the continuation of legislative processes to ensure the bill’s eventual passage.
In response, the AYCF, through its President General Yerima Shettima, criticised the Northern governors for their abrupt reversal on the tax reform bills. The forum accused the governors of initially opposing the reforms without offering substantial solutions to the region’s challenges, only to reverse their stance without achieving any concessions.
“Their arguments lacked substance and failed to acknowledge the vital role of robust taxation in funding essential public services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure,” the AYCF stated.
The group argued that the governors’ inconsistent positions undermined public confidence, delayed national progress, and reflected poorly on their integrity.
While acknowledging the need for sensitive implementation to protect vulnerable populations, the AYCF emphasised the benefits of increased tax revenue in funding critical sectors, creating jobs, and enhancing infrastructure.
“Increased tax revenue will enable the government to invest in critical sectors, improving the quality of life for all Nigerians,” the statement read.
The forum linked the governors’ handling of the tax reforms to broader governance failures in the Northern region. Persistent poverty, underdevelopment, and a lack of basic amenities, the AYCF alleged, were symptoms of corruption and ineffective resource management.
“Rather than addressing these pressing issues, the governors chose to focus on the tax reform debate as a distraction tactic,” the group asserted, adding that their sudden reversal demonstrated incompetence and short-sightedness.
The AYCF further called for transparency, urging the governors to explain their shift in position and condemning what it described as misleading rhetoric.
“This manipulation undermines the democratic process and erodes public confidence in leadership,” the statement added.
Reiterating its support for the tax reform bills, the AYCF described them as essential for Nigeria’s economic growth and pledged to continue advocating for policies that promote sustainable development and hold leaders accountable.
“The hasty surrender to the tax reform bills without meaningful engagement or transparent justification constitutes a disservice to the North and a betrayal of public trust,” the AYCF concluded.
