Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has dismissed allegations from the presidency that he is inciting anarchy against President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the proposed Tax Reform Bills.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, the Governor clarified that he was merely offering candid advice on the potential dangers of advancing policies that could harm the masses.
Governor Mohammed had previously described the Tax Reform Bills introduced by President Tinubu’s government as “anti-North” and a threat to Nigeria’s unity. He argued that the reforms appeared to favor specific regions of the country, while putting the North at a disadvantage.
In response, Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, criticized Governor Mohammed’s statements on Monday, calling them inappropriate for someone in his position. Dare urged the Governor to focus on addressing developmental and poverty challenges in Bauchi State instead of making inflammatory remarks against the President. He further called for a retraction of the Governor’s words.
However, Governor Mohammed refuted these claims, stressing that his comments were aimed at fostering dialogue and ensuring the tax reforms are fair and inclusive. “To start with, it is the height of mischief that Governor Bala Mohammed’s candid advice on the dangers of proceeding with bad decisions or policies that could worsen the plight of the masses, has been taken out of context, as a threat on the presidency. It would have been out of character for him to threaten the President or the presidency, an institution for which he has the greatest respect,” the statement read.
The Governor emphasized that his remarks were precautionary, rooted in his deep understanding of the socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians. “His remarks were essentially precautionary, given the deep-seated frustrations caused by the prevailing economic situation. and were aimed at ensuring that the proposed tax reforms are equitable, inclusive, and sensitive to the unique socio-economic challenges of the constituent parts of the country.”
Governor Mohammed further explained that his stance on the tax reforms was in line with concerns expressed by other APC governors who have warned against implementing the reform in its current form. He also questioned why he, as a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was being singled out for criticism. “It smacks of a disingenuous attempt at blackmail and a throwback to the insensitivity of the Government to single Bala Mohammed out for inquisition. Could it be because he is of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)?” he asked.
The Governor also criticized the lack of consultation prior to the drafting of the tax reforms. “If the Presidency had genuinely desired an all-inclusive tax reform that would command the buy-in of various stakeholder and subnational groups in the country, it could have subjected a draft to discussion before railroading it to the National Assembly. It did not.”
On the presidency’s allegations about high poverty rates in Bauchi, Governor Mohammed’s spokesperson argued that the claim was misleading and unfair. He pointed out that despite Bauchi’s long-standing socio-economic challenges, Governor Mohammed’s administration had achieved significant progress. “Bauchi State has faced systemic socio-economic challenges inherited over decades. Over time, these challenges have been compounded by our compatriots fleeing for their lives from the insecurity in other states as well as other existential challenges confronting them. Despite this, the Bala Mohammed administration has leveraged resources to deliver impactful development projects that have significantly improved the quality of life of the citizens,” the statement read.
The Bauchi State Government also highlighted that the people of the state remain firmly supportive of Governor Mohammed, whose achievements continue to reflect his dedication to public service and progress. “The Bauchi State Government is satisfied that the people of Bauchi State stand firmly behind their governor, whose achievements speak volumes about his dedication to constitutionalism, progress and all-inclusive people-oriented service,” the statement concluded.
