Governor Zulum Raises Alarm Over Tax Reform Bills, Says Northern States Won’t be Able to Pay Salaries

By Samaila Emmanuel Bzugu

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has strongly criticized the proposed tax reform bills, warning that they will have devastating effects on the northern region of Nigeria. The bills, which were transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in September, have faced significant opposition from stakeholders in the north, who are calling for their withdrawal.

Governor Zulum expressed his concerns in an interview with the BBC Hausa service, stating that the bills will “drag the north backward” and cause problems for other regions as well. He emphasized that the speedy passage of the bills is alarming, especially when compared to other important bills that have taken years to pass.

The governor warned that if the bills become law, his state will struggle to pay salaries, and even if they manage to do so, it won’t be sustainable in the long run. He also expressed concerns that the bills will exacerbate hunger, poverty, and security issues in the north.

The speedy passage of the bills is alarming, especially when compared to other important bills that have taken years to pass

Despite the controversy surrounding the bills, the Senate passed them for second reading on Thursday, amidst rowdiness at plenary. Governor Zulum has called on President Tinubu to review the decision and withdraw the tax bills, emphasizing that his objection is not driven by opposition to the government, but rather a desire to protect the interests of his state and the northern region.