The Bauchi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a compelling call to Governor Bala Mohammed, urging him to reconsider his opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reforms.
The party lauded the Tax Reform Bills currently under review at the National Assembly as a “positive step” toward revitalizing Nigeria’s economy and ensuring fair resource distribution among states.
During a press conference in Bauchi, the APC’s Publicity Secretary, Adamu Aliyu Jallah, emphasized the transformative potential of the reforms. He asserted that, if enacted, the bills would bolster revenue generation, enhance economic productivity, and pave the way for sustainable national growth.
Addressing Governor Mohammed’s critique of the reforms, Jallah remarked, “For Nigeria to compete favorably with developing nations, it must embrace progressive taxation policies. Tax reform is not a novel concept; it is a globally recognized tool for enhancing government revenue and meeting citizens’ needs. Instead of outright criticism, the governor should have taken time to study the bills and engage relevant authorities constructively if he identified any issues.”
The APC went further to accuse the governor of mishandling funds allocated to Bauchi State under Tinubu’s administration. Jallah revealed that, despite receiving a staggering N144 billion in Federation Account Allocations, along with other statutory funds and palliatives, the state has little to show in terms of development. “Let the governor account for all the funds received during this administration,” Jallah demanded, highlighting the glaring absence of visible progress as a sign of questionable transparency and financial mismanagement.
In addition, the party took a swipe at Governor Mohammed’s privatization policies, accusing him of using them to enrich a privileged few.
“The state government announced plans to privatize certain companies, claiming it was for productivity and efficiency. However, instead of revitalizing these companies to create jobs and generate revenue for the state, they were allocated to associates of the governor. Meanwhile, salaries in the state have been delayed for months, with some workers going unpaid for as long as three years,” Jallah alleged.
Concluding the press conference, the APC urged Governor Mohammed to prioritize initiatives that would genuinely benefit the people of Bauchi State.
They stressed the need for him to resolve ongoing salary delays, ensure transparency, and demonstrate true accountability in governance.