Tax Reforms: Bauchi Governor Denies Threatening President Tinubu….Says He Stands By What He Said.

From Paul Orude Bauchi

The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Tuesday, denied allegations that he threatened President Bola Ahmed Tinubu .

This was contained in a statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Muktar Gidado, titled, “Re: Presidency’s misleading statement on Governor Bala Mohammed”s remarks on Tax”

The statement explained that the governor’s statement was being misunderstood while his patriotic gesture was being diluted.

According to the statement, Mohammed ‘s remarks as a statenenan were cautionary and geared toward sensing fairness and inclusiveness in the proposed tax Reforms.

“It is mischievous to take the governor’s honest advice about the dangers of implementing unforgivable policies as a threat to the presidency,” it added.

“The governor deeply respects the institution of the presidency and would never engage in threats or hostility”.

It will be recalled that the Presidency on Monday asked the governor to withdraw some of the statements he made on the controversial tax reform bills.

Mohammed had during a visit of the Bauchi State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to the Government House on Christmas Day condemned the tax reform initiatives.

He described the tax reform bills as “anti-north” and favouring only a section of the country.

The governor warned that if the policies continued, the northern region would “show the president its true colours” .

He stressed that such reforms could lead to economic setbacks and threaten national unity.

Mohammed urged the Federal Government to reconsider and adopt more inclusive policies.

The Residency through, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to the President, Sunday Dare, in a post on his X handle on Monday said the statements credited to Mohammed on the tax reform bills and other recent rhetoric were unbecoming of a state governor.

Meanwhile, the governor, who featured in Channels Television‘s 2024 Year-End Review programme on Tuesday, said he stands by his comment on the tax reforms.

He urged the federal government to listen to the people, saying the tax bills, if allowed to sail through, would threaten the survival of the states and impoverish them.

He warned that some states should not be allowed to die because they do not have the headquarters of companies in Nigeria.

Mohammed said: “I cannot be threatened as a governor. I stand by my comments. It is not meant to malign, insult or do anything to the contrary other than mean well.

“We believe that as the leader of the federation and all other federating units, they should listen to us. They should not be arrogant and show some elements of impunity that whatever happens, they will go ahead.”