By John Joseph
Kindly share this news
A recent statement by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on the tax reform policy has been criticized by Daniel Reyenieju, a former member of the House of Representatives representing Warri Federal Constituency. Reyenieju described Mohammed’s comments as inaccurate and a tactic to manipulate regional sentiments.
Governor Mohammed had claimed that the tax reforms would have devastating economic effects on Northern Nigeria. However, Reyenieju argued that this assertion is unfounded and that tax reform is essential for broadening the tax base and enhancing revenue collection. He emphasized that tax reform is crucial for Nigeria’s national development and benefits all Nigerians, not just a select few.
Reyenieju also pointed out that Governor Mohammed’s claims about the negative impacts of tax reform on Northern Nigeria are unsubstantiated and lack concrete data or economic indicators. He criticized the governor for failing to provide viable alternatives or constructive solutions to improve Nigeria’s revenue generation and ensure fair resource distribution.
Furthermore, Reyenieju accused Governor Mohammed of using inflammatory language to incite regional tensions rather than fostering constructive dialogue. He urged the governor to provide concrete evidence to support his claims or retract them unequivocally, emphasizing that the Nigerian people deserve transparency, accountability, and leadership informed by facts rather than fear-mongering.
In contrast, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele demonstrated how a true leader should address issues with clarity and data-driven evidence. He cited specific figures from the tax reform proposal, highlighting the benefits of the new model for various states, including Kano, Zamfara, Lagos, and Rivers.
Reyenieju concluded that suggesting the tax reforms are crafted to favor select regions at the expense of others is a gross misrepresentation of the truth. He emphasized the importance of basing discussions on accurate and credible data to promote national unity.
Kindly share this news!!!