Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has reiterated his opposition to the proposed tax reforms by President Bola Tinubu, declaring that he cannot be intimidated.
Speaking on Channels Television’s 2024 Year-End Review programme, Mohammed said his comments were not meant to insult but to advocate for fairness and equity.
“I cannot be threatened as a governor. I stand by my comments. It is not meant to malign, insult, or do anything contrary other than mean well,” Mohammed stated.
The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum accused the Presidency of arrogance and urged the federal government to consider the concerns of all stakeholders, warning that the proposed tax bills, if passed, could impoverish sub-national governments and harm the survival of states without major corporate headquarters.
“We believe that as the leader of the federation and all other federating units, they should listen to us, not be arrogant and show some elements of impunity,” Mohammed said.
Mohammed’s criticism centres on claims that the tax reforms disproportionately favour certain regions and could exacerbate economic inequality across states.
He described the bills as a potential catalyst for “anarchy” and insisted that the presidency must engage constructively with the concerns raised by governors.
In response, the presidency had dismissed Mohammed’s comments as “inflammatory rhetoric” and demanded a retraction, describing his statements as threats to the federal government.
Despite the pushback, Mohammed remains resolute. He and 18 other northern governors have collectively rejected the tax reforms, arguing they are detrimental to their states’ interests.
President Tinubu, however, has maintained that the reforms are essential and will be implemented as planned.
