The lawmaker representing Gaya, Ajingi and Albasu Federal Constituency of Kano State in the House of Representatives, Mustapha Ghali, has shed more light on why the North is not in support of the Tax Reform Bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu.
Ghali, who alleged that those sponsoring the bills or supporting them, have ulterior motives, said the focus of the bills should be in the interest of entire Nigeria and not just some regions or states.
This is as he revealed that he was lobbied by a fellow lawmaker from the south to support the controversial bills with the assurance that it would benefit Kano State.
The lawmaker, however, said he doesn’t want a bill that will only benefit his own state and leave out others, including neighbouring states.
Ghali, who made the disclosures while speaking with newsmen in Kano State, said Nigeria is not ripe for such bills and called on the federal government to, instead, provide a conducive environment for the citizens.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) chieftain said, “There was an influential member from the South that met me and said, Dr Ghali you are privileged to have the wherewithal to stand and speak and you usually get the support of your fellow members. We have come to strike a deal with you today. We want you to support these tax reform bills.
“He told me that their reason was that when it is passed, Kano will also benefit alongside Lagos. If Kano benefitted you will also benefit. I said to him he is right, but I want Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara Sokoto, Kebbi also to benefit.
“My reason was if today I have a problem in Kano, before you come to my rescue from Lagos, I have called one from Jigawa, I have called someone from Katsina, Kaduna and Niger. So, even if Kano will benefit, what of my neighbours, those that I have always been at peace with?
“This indicates that these people have an ulterior motive. The good thing is all northern legislators have all sat and are working towards containing the issue. We all have our own priorities from our people that we are representing. Your interest should not be conflicting or against the other region. This is why we are telling people to stop fighting for political differences but for the success of our region.”
North Must Take A Stand Against The Bills
Speaking further, the lawmaker said the Northern region must unite and speak with one voice to stop the implementation of the bills.
He submitted that countries that have implemented such bills had first provided a conducive environment and development such as employment, hospitals, schools and other social amenities for the populace, but the reverse is the case in Nigeria.
“Several countries across the world have implemented the tax reform bill and it is working for them. But at what point? You have to provide a conducive environment and development such as employment, hospitals, schools and other social amenities for the populace.
“Take for instance, England, United Arab Emirates, UAE and Saudi Arabia, where they implemented the bill and it is working for them. The government was able to do so based on the development provided and taxes collected from the well to do to ensure the sustainability of the developmental projects.
“So what we are saying is Nigeria is not yet ripe for the implementation of the proposed bill. It is not like we totally rejected it but the government has to provide the development and conducive environment before implementing the tax reform bill.
“I however appeal to northern lawmakers, governors, elders, business men and women, academicians and all relevant stakeholders to put heads together to ensure that the bill is set aside,” he said.
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