Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has strongly rejected the tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, warning that they will have devastating effects on the northern region. The bills, which aim to prioritize the location of consumption as the basis for sharing Value Added Tax (VAT), have faced significant opposition from northern stakeholders, including governors, traditional rulers, and the Northern Elders Forum.

Zulum expressed his concerns in an interview with the BBC Hausa service, stating that the bills will “drag the north backward” and negatively impact other regions, including the South East and South West. He emphasized that the bills are not in the best interest of the nation and called on President Tinubu to review the decision.

The governor also criticized the speedy passage of the bills, comparing it to the 20-year delay in passing the Petroleum Industry Bill. He argued that the tax reform bills require careful consideration and caution to ensure they do not harm the country’s progress.

Zulum’s objections to the bills are shared by other northern governors and stakeholders, who believe that the proposed legislation will exacerbate poverty, hunger, and insecurity in the region. Despite the opposition, the Senate passed the bills for second reading, sparking concerns about the potential consequences of the legislation.

The governor clarified that his rejection of the bills is not a sign of opposition to the government, but rather a call to reconsider the decision. He appealed to President Tinubu to listen to the concerns of northern stakeholders and address their fears about the potential impact of the tax reform bills.