Tax reform: Only Lagos and Rivers to benefit from Tinubu _ Zulum

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State explained on Sunday why northern governors advised President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the controversial tax reform bills. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Zulum stated that the Northern Governors Forum needed more time for consultation.

He highlighted that there were significant misconceptions about the tax issue, particularly the VAT provision in the tax bill. According to their calculations, only Lagos and Rivers States would benefit from the proposed scheme, while the northern states would face losses. He questioned the urgency, advocating for a pause to remove problematic clauses that could negatively impact not just the north but the country as a whole.

Zulum emphasized the need for more thorough consultation to fully understand the implications of the tax regime before it is passed into law. He warned that if the bill is approved by the National Assembly, it would disadvantage most states, with Lagos emerging as the primary beneficiary.

READ ALSO: A New Dawn for Ese Odo: Rallying Behind High Chief Ebi Molos By Twatimi K. Samuel

He also addressed claims that northern governors were opposed to President Tinubu’s administration, asserting that this was not true. Zulum reminded viewers that prior to the 2023 elections, he was one of the few governors who pushed for power to be rotated to the south. He pointed out that the north could not be against Tinubu, given that over 60 percent of his votes in the 2023 elections came from the region. He lamented the negative narrative suggesting the north was opposed to the president and underscored his strong support for Tinubu, noting that he was among the first governors to publicly advocate for the presidency to move to the south.