Bauchi Gov knocks FG’s Tax Reform Bills, Says It’s Anti-North

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

Senator Bala Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi state has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for insisting on the contentious Tax reform bills currently before the national assembly.

Bala Mohammed stated this while addressing thousands of Christian faithfuls who payed him Christmas homage at the government house on Thursday.

Governor Mohammed who noted that Nigeria needs prayers to overcome myriads of difficulties and challenges been faced by the citizens, called on Nigerians to pray for God to assuage the situation.

“We have to say it, but certainly it is not insulting anybody, we are calling on the presidency and the federal government to change their style, whenever a policy is not popular they should listen to people, they should not be arrogant and thinking that whatever they come with it must be”, the Governor further disclosed.

Bala who reminded President Tinubu that Nigeria is currently operating democracy and not oligarchy or military rule, noted that the presidency must listen to the people with a view to addressing their plights.

He pledged to remain loyal to the federal government for the time being, saying however that, failure to listen to the cries of Nigerians is an invitation for anarchy.

“We pledged to be loyal to them but anything they are doing contrary to that, they are calling for anarchy, they are calling for intransigency, and it is unacceptable, there is a lot of wahala, we must work together across the party lines, across all the tiers of government to provide succour and solace to the Nigerian people”, he insisted.

Bala Mohammed while stating that the situation was not the way it is now, expressed the need for the federal government to change some of its policies that is making Nigerians uncomfortable.

“The tax reform is not good for the North because we are not going to get money to pay you salaries, to do roads. They must listen, otherwise they are calling for anarchy and that’s not good”, the Governor explained.

“We voted the presidency in this state and other states, they must listen to us, they must not come up with policies that favors only one section of the country or one state in the country, it is not about religion, it’s about tribe, it is about national unity, it is about national hegemony and this is what we are all about, good leadership”, the Governor added.

He stressed: “we will continue to be loyal for the time being, if the situation persist they will see our real color, we are going to fight for it”.

Earlier on, the Governor had during a courtesy visit to him by the Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Bauchi Chapter, expressed gratitude to the Christian community for their unwavering support and humility.

Mohammed who noted the selflessness of CAN in not making excessive demands, reassured the Christians of his administration’s commitment to addressing their concerns, fostering inclusivity and promoting national unity where all citizens will feel represented and valued.

On his part, the Chairman of the CAN in Bauchi state, Reverend Abraham Damina commended the administration of Bala Mohammed for its commitment to inclusive development and equitable governance.