Our Loyalty To Tinubu Must Remain Unwavering,’ Declares Northern Governor
By Trek Africa Newspaper
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has refuted claims that northern Nigeria is opposed to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, following recent reports suggesting tension between the North and the Presidency. These speculations emerged after the Northern Governors’ Forum, along with traditional rulers and other stakeholders, rejected a proposed Tax Reform Bill in a Monday meeting.
Governor Sule clarified that the northern region remains firmly supportive of President Tinubu, emphasizing the substantial support he received there during the 2023 presidential election. He stated that the decision regarding the Tax Reform Bill should not be viewed as opposition to the administration.
Speaking on Channels TV, Sule said, “We cannot bring in President Tinubu with such strong support from the North and then turn around to oppose him.”
Sule explained that the North’s stance on the bill is rooted in concerns over fairness. He noted that northern states, which currently generate lower VAT revenues, would be disproportionately affected by the proposed changes.
“The northern states, including the 19 that generate minimal VAT revenue, would face disadvantages with this reform,” he said. “We are advocating for fairness in VAT distribution. The current proposal, in our view, would be inequitable for the North and even some southern states.”
Governor Sule argued that VAT alone is not sufficient for driving economic growth, suggesting that a stronger focus on manufacturing and production would be more effective. “You drive an economy through manufacturing and production, not by overtaxing people through VAT,” he stated.
