The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, on Wednesday, declared his opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms, asserting that it is “inimical to the unity of the country”.
Yusuf, represented by his Deputy, Aminu Gwarzo, declared the government’s position during the 2025 celebration held at the Filin Mahaha, Kofar Naisa open theatre.
The deputy governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Shu’aibu, revealed the development in a statement on Wednesday released in Kano.
“This tax reform bill is not the solution to our economic challenges. Kano State stands firmly against any policy that negatively affects the welfare of our people,” the deputy governor was quoted to have said.
He lauded the resilience of Kano residents amidst economic challenges, describing the proposed tax reform as “ill-timed, lopsided and inimical to the unity of the country.”
“Nigerians in general, and the North in particular, are groaning under hyperinflation and unprecedented insecurity, therefore the Presidency should rather concentrate its time and attention to tackling extreme poverty and hunger, especially in the northern part of the country,” he said.
Governor Yusuf highlighted his administration’s notable achievements in healthcare, education, road construction, and foreign scholarship initiatives.
Additionally, he reminded residents of the Supreme Court ruling in January 2024 that confirmed him as the duly elected governor of Kano State.
Meanwhile, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), on Wednesday, called on President Tinubu to institutionalise public accountability before carrying out tax reform.
The Asaba monarch, who made this call in his New Year message, said any further hardship due to government policies would be unbearable.
He said, “My New Year message is a better life for Nigerians. We don’t want hardship of any kind in our system and therefore, the government must try to cushion the effects.
“A buoyant and prosperous economy must be put in place for better education for our children and we want better medical care.
“Nigeria should be able to address its issues internally and give hope to the young generation. This will stop the ‘Japa syndrome’ and make people believe that they can stay in Nigeria and build up their careers.
“There must be public accountability before tax reform in Nigeria.
“Though I have not studied the tax reform bills, Nigerians don’t pay taxes and this cuts across all sectors. But another point is that, when people pay taxes, they expect it to be judiciously used.
“The efficient usage of taxpayers’ money is very important, and that is the challenge the government is having. For us to have a meaningful tax reform, we must show, by example, that we are prepared to judiciously use the taxpayers’ money.”
On litigation regarding his ascension to the throne, the Asagba vowed to meet the former contenders in court.
“Asaba is very democratic and accommodating. When an exercise has been completed and unanimously concluded, it is still the prerogative of anybody who feels otherwise to exercise the next right of option.
‘’Indeed, after the host of other people (contenders) sent in their congratulatory messages, one or two persons opted to go to court. For me, that is acceptable and understandable. We will push that to the highest level as the case may be.
‘’We will engage them in court; we are prepared to do so because, as far as we are concerned, all the issues raised are very spurious,” he said.
Recall that Azinge was chosen among 10 crowned and presented with Staff of Office by the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori on October 5, 2024.
