Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, has been urged by the presidency to take back his divisive comments on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform proposals.
The Presidency called the governor’s remarks unhelpful and unrepresentative of Northern Nigeria in a statement released Monday by Sunday Dare, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication.
In a Boxing Day speech to the Christian community in Bauchi, Governor Mohammed criticized the tax revisions, saying that President Tinubu’s policies were “calling for anarchy.” He cautioned that if the changes persisted, the North might “show its true colors.” Mohammed also urged the federal government to take a more inclusive stance, claiming that the measures disproportionately benefited one state.
Responding, the Presidency said, “I urge him to retract these confrontational remarks and redirect his focus toward productive dialogue with the FG regarding any concerns about the Tax Reform Act.”
Dare further noted that Mohammed’s views do not reflect the sentiments of the Northern region. “This unfortunate statement does not represent the collective voice of Northern Nigeria. The North, like other regions, seeks collaborative governance and constructive engagement with the Federal Government to address our nation’s challenges,” the statement read.
Dare also emphasized the substantial federal funding that Bauchi State has received, notably N144 billion during the present administration, and recommended that the governor concentrate on tackling the state’s poverty and developmental issues.
“His statement ‘We will show President Tinubu our true colour’ is particularly concerning and does not reflect the constructive dialogue needed between the state and FG. It bears noting that Bauchi State has received N144bn (State and LGA) in federal allocations under the current administration – a significant increase from previous disbursements,” Dare said.
According to the statement, Bauchi State has profited from a number of federal programs, such as a N2 billion special intervention fund for food security, higher profits from compensations for the withdrawal of subsidies, and consideration of derivation money intended to aid northern states.
Dare highlighted the benefits of the tax revisions, saying they were intended to increase efficiency, draw in investment, and simplify taxes. He exhorted Governor Mohammed to adopt open budget management and use the changes to spur growth at the state level.
The Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill are among the measures that President Tinubu unveiled in October 2024. These policies seek to improve income production, harmonize tax rules, and offer specific assistance to communities that depend on agriculture and small businesses.
“The path forward lies not in confrontation but in collaboration, not in threats but in thoughtful engagement, and certainly not in divisive statements but in unified action toward our shared goals of development and progress,” Dare stated.
Concluding, the Presidency called for unity and constructive leadership, reminding public officials of their primary obligation to improve the lives of Nigerians through dialogue and efficient resource management. “This is the true leadership Nigeria needs—one that builds bridges, not barriers, and prioritizes the collective good over individual or regional interests,” Dare added.
