Tax bills: Tinubu not anti-north, says Dogara

Yakubu Dogara, former speaker of the house of representatives, has called on northerners to refrain from criticizing President Bola Tinubu over the proposed tax reform bills.

Speaking on Channels Television’s town hall meeting on Monday, Dogara described the reforms as a bold and significant move, emphasizing that they should not be viewed as anti-north.

“I appeal to my brothers in the north—this is not the time to condemn the president or to label him as anti-north because of these tax bills,” Dogara said. “What President Tinubu is attempting to achieve with these reforms is remarkable, and if fully executed, it could be transformative. No northern leader in my lifetime has done what he is trying to do for the region.”

‘The North Can Thrive Without VAT’

Dogara urged northerners to see the tax reforms as an opportunity rather than a disadvantage, particularly highlighting the creation of the ministry of livestock development as a game-changer for the region. He argued that the north possesses vast untapped resources and can become self-reliant without depending on value-added tax (VAT).

“The creation of the ministry of livestock development is a forward-thinking move. Globally, the dairy and beef industry is projected to reach $2.5 trillion within the next three years,” Dogara said.

“If the north can position itself to capture just 5% of this global market, that’s $250 billion in revenue. We wouldn’t need VAT contributions from any state to survive.”

He further noted the north’s abundance of natural resources, including gold and other minerals, citing them as proof of the region’s economic potential. “The north is the most endowed region in Nigeria. We have everything we need to thrive. If you doubt this, look at Australia’s success with mining. There’s gold and untapped resources all across our region,” he added.

Background on the Tax Reform Bills

On October 3, President Tinubu submitted four tax reform bills to the national assembly for consideration. The proposed laws include the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Tax Administration Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill. Additionally, Tinubu proposed repealing the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Act and replacing it with a new Nigeria Revenue Service.

However, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), representing 19 northern states, collectively opposed the proposed reforms during a joint meeting with the Northern Traditional Rulers Council at the Kaduna government house on October 28.

Dogara, addressing these concerns, called for open-mindedness and urged northern leaders to embrace the long-term benefits of the reforms. “This is an opportunity to reposition the north for self-sustained economic growth,” he said.