Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has called on northerners to reconsider their criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills.
The bills, currently under review in the National Assembly, have faced strong opposition from northern leaders, who have raised concerns that the reforms could unfairly impact the region.
The Northern States Governors Forum, which represents 19 states, voiced similar concerns following discussions with the Northern Traditional Rulers Council.
During a town hall meeting on the tax reform bills hosted by Channels Television, Dogara urged northern governors and elites to approach the issue with a well-informed perspective, highlighting the long-term potential benefits of the reforms.
“I want to speak to my brothers in the North,” Dogara said.
“Now is not the time to condemn the president or suggest that he is anti-north because of these bills. I want to remind everyone that the president has achieved something significant.”
He went on to say, “If he successfully follows through, it will mean no northern leader in my lifetime has done as much for the North as President Tinubu has.
“He created the Ministry of Livestock, a sector with a booming global market.”
Dogara explained that the global dairy and beef market is projected to reach $2.5 trillion in the next three years.
“If the North can capture just five per cent of this market, that amounts to $250 billion.
“We wouldn’t need VAT from any state in Nigeria to thrive. The North is the most resource-rich part of the country.”
Addressing concerns over the timing and the perceived lack of consultations regarding the tax reforms, Dogara downplayed these issues.
He emphasised that the focus should be on the potential benefits of the reforms, rather than political considerations or past engagements.
