Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has raised concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reforms, urging that they should not proceed in their current form.
He cautioned that if the President used his authority to push the bills through the National Assembly without addressing key issues, it could have adverse effects on the public.
Zulum argued that the implementation of these reforms would disproportionately allocate a significant portion of Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue to Lagos State.
While emphasizing his support for President Tinubu’s administration, Zulum called for additional consultations to ensure the reforms align with democratic principles.
He dismissed suggestions that governors are opposed to the President, clarifying that they respect his leadership but are advocating for necessary adjustments to the proposals.
During an interview with Channels Television, Zulum stated, “I respect the President’s authority. If he decides to push these tax bills forward, he might succeed, but it will come with consequences for the people.”
This follows President Tinubu’s recent request to the National Assembly in October to deliberate on and approve several tax-related bills, including the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024, and the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024.