“Why The North Shouldn’t Complain Over Tinubu’s Tax Reforms” — Yakubu Dogara
Dogara Yakubu, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, urged Northerners to consider their criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bill. The bills have provoked a significant backlash from Northern leaders since their introduction in Parliament. Citizens in the region expressed concern that the reforms were disproportionately aimed at the North.
The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council have also voiced their opposition following a joint meeting.
During “A Channels Television town hall tax reforms”, Dogara urged northern elites and governors to approach the matter with a more informed perspective. He emphasized the potential benefits of the reforms, especially in addressing critical national challenges. According to Dogara, condemning the president based on these bills alone is premature and misguided. He pointed a major achievement by Tinubu—the creation of a livestock ministry—as a game-changer for the North.
Dogara explains that the global dairy and beef market is expected to reach $2.5 trillion in three years. If the North were able to capture just 5% of this market, it could generate $250 billion in revenue. This makes reliance on Value Added Tax in other regions unnecessary. He called for well meaning organizations in the North to make the most of this opportunity. Emphasizing that the region’s enormous resources make it highly self-reliant.
Dogara acknowledged concerns about timing and consultation. Emphasis should be placed on whether reform should be fundamentally correct or not. It’s not it’s political impact alone.
Read more …
