The Presidency on Monday demanded that the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, retract what it called his “inflammatory” statement on the Tax Reform Bill.
It said Mohammed’s statement, “We’ll show Tinubu our true colour,” neither reflects the stance of the North nor the constructive dialogue needed between states and the Federal Government.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, stated this in a post he shared on his X handle Monday morning titled ‘RE: We’ll show Tinubu our True Colour.’
Dare was responding to Mohammed’s statement from Wednesday, December 25, 2024, during a Christmas homage by the Christian community at the Government House in Bauchi.
The governor opposed Tinubu’s tax reform policies, describing them as “anti-northern” and favouring only a section of the country.
He warned that if these policies continued, the northern region would “show its true colours” in response. Mohammed also emphasised that such reforms could lead to economic setbacks and threaten national unity, urging the federal government to reconsider and adopt more inclusive policies.
However, the Presidency said, “I urge him to retract these confrontational remarks and redirect his focus toward productive dialogue with the FG regarding any concerns about the Tax Reform Act.”
“This unfortunate statement does not represent the collective voice of Northern Nigeria. The North, like other regions, seeks collaborative governance and constructive engagement with the Federal Government to address our nation’s challenges.
“Rather than issuing threats, his energy might be better directed toward implementing effective poverty alleviation programmes and ensuring transparent utilisation of these federal resources [N144bn received from FG]. The Tax Reform Act and increased federal allocations significantly benefit the States.”
It said the recent inflammatory rhetoric of Mohammed regarding the Tax Reform Act and direct threats toward the Federal Government is unbecoming of his office as a state governor.
“His statement ‘We will show President Tinubu our true colour’ is particularly concerning and does not reflect the constructive dialogue needed between the state and FG.
“It bears noting that Bauchi State has received N144bn (State and LGA) in federal allocations under the current administration – a significant increase from previous disbursements.
“Yet his state continues to grapple with serious developmental challenges and high poverty rates. As a state governor, he is called to exemplify statesmanship and work toward national cohesion,” Dare opined.
The Presidency highlighted that the N144bn federal allocation to Bauchi State marks one of the most significant increases in federal disbursements, providing the state with substantial fiscal resources.
This includes a recent N2bn special intervention fund allocated to each state to enhance food security. Additionally, removing fuel subsidy compensation payments has significantly boosted state revenues, along with special considerations for derivation funds aimed at protecting the interests of northern states, it argued.
Regarding tax reforms, Dare emphasised that streamlining multiple taxation systems will alleviate the burden on small businesses in Bauchi.
He added that improvements in revenue collection efficiency through digitalisation, protection for informal sector workers—who form the backbone of the state’s economy—and targeted provisions for agricultural businesses highlight the reforms’ focus on supporting Bauchi’s farming communities.
The Presidency further pointed out that these reforms open doors for development by creating frameworks to attract investments through tax incentives and building capacity within state revenue services.
These initiatives, it argued, reflect the FG’s dedication to supporting state-level development.
It said that instead of opposing these efforts, Governor Mohammed could maximise the benefits by implementing transparent fiscal management systems, developing state-specific tax incentives to attract investors, and investing in agricultural value chains.
Dare stressed that Nigeria’s path to prosperity requires unity of purpose rather than divisive rhetoric. He urged public officials to rise above regional sentiments and political grandstanding to embrace the collective vision of a stronger, more prosperous nation.
PUNCH
