Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, issued a clear and firm response to the Presidency on Tuesday, affirming his support for his previous statement regarding the proposed tax reforms by President Bola Tinubu.
“I cannot be threatened as a governor. I stand by my comments. It is not meant to malign, insult or to do anything to the contrary other than mean well,” Mohammed said on Channels Television‘s 2024 Year-End Review programme.
The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum cautioned that the Presidency should avoid arrogance and instead heed the concerns of the people.
Read Also: Presidency Replies Bala Mohammed’s Threat To Tinubu Concerning Tax Bills
He emphasized that if the proposed tax bills are passed, they could have “concomitant effects” that threaten the survival of the sub-national governments.
“We believe that as the leader of the federation and all other federating units, they should listen to us, not to be arrogant and showing some elements of impunity that whatever happens, they would go ahead,” Mohammed said.
Mohammed criticized Tinubu’s “undemocratic” stance on the tax bills, arguing that even individuals with military backgrounds would have been more receptive to the people’s concerns and would have addressed the “areas of suspicion and missteps” in the proposed legislation.
He had previously condemned Tinubu’s tax bills in the National Assembly, alleging that the bills were biased and disproportionately favored one region over others.
He claimed the bills amounted to “calls for anarchy” and warned that Tinubu would see “our real colour” if the legislations were passed.
The presidency subsequently the governor to withdraw his comment, describing it as “inflammatory rhetoric” and “direct threats toward the federal government”.
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